Supreme Court puts on hold judgment directing promotion of 40 Police Chief Inspectors

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of Ghana has rejected former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Chief Executive Officer Solomon Asamoah's attempt to overturn a High Court order requiring him to present his defense in a $2 million financial loss case linked to the Sky Train project. The dispute centers around allegations that Asamoah and former GIIF Board Chair Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi caused financial loss to the state by disbursing funds for the project without proper board approval and without any work completed to justify the expenditure.

After the prosecution presented their case, Asamoah and Akumfi filed a submission of no case, claiming there was insufficient evidence to warrant their need to defend themselves. However, the trial judge, Justice Kocuvie-Tay, overruled their application and instructed them to begin their defense. Displeased with this decision, Asamoah turned to the Supreme Court, contending that the trial judge had overstepped her jurisdiction by reaching definitive conclusions, including identifying him as responsible for the alleged financial loss.

The Supreme Court, a panel of five judges led by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, did not agree with Asamoah's argument.

The Supreme Court panel comprising Justices Asiedu Adibu, Hafisata Amaleboba, Sophia Bernasko-Essah, and Anthony Forson Jnr., determined that the concerns voiced by Asamoah did not provide adequate reasons for the court to use its discretionary supervisory jurisdiction to interfere with the ongoing proceedings. Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed Asamoah's application, allowing the High Court trial to proceed under the guidance of Justice Kocuvie-Tay. As a result, Solomon Asamoah must now proceed with his defense in the ongoing trial.