Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has admitted to personally authorizing the arrest of former Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Board Chairman, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi.
He made this admission during a media interview in which he was questioned about his involvement in the arrest.
“Yes I did” Dr. Dominic Ayine responded after he was asked if he ordered the arrest of Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was taken into custody by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on February 23, 2025, at Kawukudi, near Nima in Accra.
He is currently under investigation for alleged financial irregularities linked to his tenure as Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructural Investment Fund (GIIF).
He further explained that during questioning, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi admitted that a $2 million payment had been made for work that was never completed.
“We’re still investigating the circumstances of the payment and those who were involved,” Dr. Ayine added.
Despite the Attorney General’s confirmation, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi’s lawyers insist he is innocent.
“We are absolutely confident that Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi is innocent of whatever allegations have been made against him,” said Kenneth Korankye, a member of his legal team.
He urged investigators to bring forward all evidence, stating, “Once they present their facts, we will respond accordingly.”
The NIB detained Prof Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi after he was allegedly fingered in the failed $3 billion Accra Sky Train project.
The information gathered revealed Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was picked up on Sunday morning February 23, 2025, concerning sanctioning the release of $2 million to Africa Investor Holdings, the company behind the project.
The payment was made before the feasibility studies were completed with Ghana yet to receive a refund of the transaction.
He has since then been released on bail.
A 2021 Auditor-General’s report, revealed that the Special Purpose Vehicle set up for the Sky Train project did not have an operational license, yet $2M was disbursed through GIIF under Prof Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi’s leadership.
The project was announced in 2017 and aimed at transforming Ghana’s urban transport in Accra but never saw the light of day after the $ 2 million payment.
