The Supreme Court has dismissed an application by former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Asamoah, seeking to stop the ongoing Skytrain trial.

Asamoah, the first accused in the case, had filed a certiorari application at the Supreme Court seeking to quash the High Court’s decision rejecting his submission of no case after the prosecution had closed its case.

He subsequently applied for an interlocutory injunction to prevent the High Court from continuing with the trial until the Supreme Court determined his certiorari application.

Justice Senyo Dzamefe, sitting as a single Justice of the Supreme Court, dismissed the injunction application on Monday after hearing arguments from the parties last Friday.

In his ruling, Justice Dzamefe held that, based on Asamoah’s own affidavit evidence, he had not demonstrated a serious case to be tried.

The court also held that the issues raised by the applicant were matters that could properly be addressed through an appeal.

It further found that the trial judge’s decision to rule on the submission of no case was not an act done without jurisdiction or beyond the court’s jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court also concluded that Asamoah had not demonstrated what irreparable harm he would suffer if the injunction was not granted.

The ruling means the High Court can continue with the Skytrain trial while Asamoah’s certiorari application remains pending.

The High Court has set September 23 as the final extended deadline for the accused persons to file their defence, should they decide to do so.

Meanwhile, the second accused person, former GIIF Board Chairman, Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi, has filed a fresh application for a stay of proceedings.

The application is scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on September 1.

Asamoah and Prof. Ameyaw Ekumfi are standing trial over allegations that $2 million was paid towards the Skytrain project without the approval of the GIIF board.

By: Jacob Aggrey

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with the National Security, has seized quantities of unregistered cigarette-shaped candy being sold in the Central Business District (CBD) of Accra.

The product, branded as Cigarette Rod Lollipop, was seized during a crackdown on its sale over the weekend.

The FDA reports that the key suspect involved in the sale has been arrested and is in police custody pending investigations into the importation, distribution and sale of the product.

The Authority cautioned that the Cigarette Rod Lollipop is not registered with the FDA, meaning its composition is unknown and could pose a public health risk to consumers.

It further warned that the cigarette-shaped design of the candy could encourage children who use it to develop an interest in smoking.

According to the FDA, this could undermine efforts to discourage smoking, particularly among young people.

The Authority has therefore advised the public not to purchase or use the product under any circumstances.

The FDA reminded the public that under Section 97(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), it is an offence to manufacture, import, export, distribute, sell or supply food unless it has been registered by the Authority.

It noted that the Cigarette Rod Lollipop falls under the category of food products.

The FDA has urged anyone who has information about individuals selling the product or other suspected unregistered products to report them to the Authority.

It appealed to persons who have the product in stock to immediately contact the FDA or submit it to the nearest FDA office.

Information leading to the arrest of the importer or other persons behind the importation and distribution of the product, the FDA added, will be treated confidentially and rewarded.

By: Jacob Aggrey