Former GIIF CEO hiding in Senegal over botched Sky Train deal – Attorney-General alleges

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that Solomon Asamoah, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), is currently hiding in Senegal after playing a role in the controversial $2 million payment for the failed Accra Sky Train project.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, 24th March, Dr Ayine revealed that Asamoah initially travelled to South Africa on 2nd February before relocating to Senegal. 

“The CEO is hiding in Senegal. We tracked him first to South Africa, and now he is in Senegal. When we contacted him, he told us he would not return to Ghana until three months from now, and we are patiently waiting for him. If he does not return, he will be tried in absentia,” he stated.

Investigations have revealed that the $2 million payment was made at the request of GIIF’s Board Chairman, Prof Ameyaw Ekumfi, and Solomon Asamoah, without the necessary board approval. Dr Ayine noted that “there was no board approval for the transaction, and the conditions precedent to disbursement had not been met.”

Further inquiries found that the funds were transferred to a company in Mauritius, which was later discovered to be non-existent. 

“We tracked the company to Mauritius, and a lawyer there has confirmed to us that it does not exist. But that is also a developing story,” the Attorney-General added.

Dr Ayine confirmed that legal proceedings would begin regardless of Asamoah’s absence. 

“If there is going to be a delay, we will start the prosecution with him being a suspect who is being tried in absentia. Prof Ameyaw Ekumfi, who acted with him to transfer the money, is in the country, and the legal process will proceed,” he affirmed. 

Prof Ekumfi has since been questioned by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and granted bail.