John Peter Amewu
Former Minister for Railways Development, John Peter Amewu, has been questioned over government expenditure of $2 million on the botched Skytrain project.
Reports suggest that he was arrested on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, by operatives of the National Security over his potential involvement in the payment for a project that never materialised.
He has however been released after questioning, as the Office of the Attorney General (AG) builds a docket on the case.
The Accra Skytrain project, which was announced in 2017 by then President Nana Akufo-Addo, was meant to transform urban transportation in Ghana.
But the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine has revealed that investigations into the scandal so far show that there was no board approval for the payment of $2 million to Africa Investor Holdings, the company behind the project.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra last Monday, he indicated that investigations on the scandal will conclude by the middle of April for prosecution to begin.
Mr. Amewu is the latest person to be arrested in connection with the payment of the $2 million for the non-existent project.
While the Borad Chairman for GIIF, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi has been arrested, questioned and released by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), his co-accused Solomon Asamoah, according to the Attorney General, is on the run due to his involvement in the payment.
The AG said Mr. Asamoah is hiding in Senegal where Ghana does not have an extradition treaty to extradite him to the country to face trial.
He even suggested that his office may have to try him in absentia if he fails to return to the country.
Meanwhile, Mr. Asamoah has denied the claim that he is on the run, stating that he travelled out of Ghana on Friday, March 21, 2025, to attend scheduled board meetings as part of a corporate responsibility that was planned well in advance.
“Prior to my departure, I have been present in Ghana for long periods in both February and March. During this period, I was never contacted by any government official in relation to an invitation to assist in any investigation,” Mr. Asamoah indicated in a statement.
He also denied committing any crime during his time at the Fund, stressing that he has absolutely no reason to run away from justice.
“I will return home shortly to offer all the assistance and information necessary to support the AG’s investigations, which will ultimately vindicate my reputation and integrity,” Mr. Asamoah added.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak