The Accra High Court has adjourned the trial of former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Solomon Asamoah and Board Chair, Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi.
The adjournment followed a plea by counsel for the first accused to halt proceedings until the Supreme Court determines his application seeking to stop the trial.
The court was expected to commence the case management conference on October 5, 2026, after directing the accused persons to file their witness statements by September 23.
However, counsel for the first accused, Victoria Barth, told the court that her client had invoked the supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in relation to the ongoing trial.
According to her, the application before the Supreme Court seeks orders of certiorari and prohibition, including an order restraining the High Court from further hearing, continuing with or determining the case.
She explained that the Supreme Court had refused an application by the first accused for an injunction pending the determination of the substantive application.
Ms Barth said Solomon Asamoah had nevertheless demonstrated good faith by complying with the High Court’s directive to file his witness statement on September 23.
She added that 14 subpoenas had subsequently been filed on October 2 in respect of persons the defence intends to cross-examine as part of its case, subject to the outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings.
Counsel therefore asked the High Court to consider that the return date for the application for prohibition at the Supreme Court is October 13 and grant a short adjournment to allow the apex court to hear the matter.
The defence lawyer argued that proceeding with further steps in the trial before the Supreme Court determines the application could prejudice the first accused and potentially render the application moot.
Ms Barth further informed the court that two additional witnesses who are currently outside the jurisdiction or otherwise unavailable to the defence would require the court’s leave for their witness statements to be filed.
Counsel for the second accused, led by Yaw Acheampong Boafo, associated himself with the submissions made on behalf of the first accused and indicated that he had nothing further to add.
The prosecution, led by Sefakor Batse, told the court that the state had been served with the witness statement of the second accused but was yet to receive that of the first accused.
She said the prosecution had also only just been informed of the additional processes filed by the defence.
Although the prosecution would have preferred the case management conference to proceed, Ms Batse left the matter to the discretion of the court.
She, however, reminded the court that processes filed at the Supreme Court did not automatically stay proceedings before the High Court.
After hearing the parties, the court adjourned the case to Monday, October 19, 2026.
