Lawmaker Slams Prosecutors for Prioritizing Convictions Over Justice
Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini, has criticized prosecutors for prioritizing convictions over justice, following the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit and discharge former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu.
Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, August 1, Mr. Fuseini emphasized that the prosecution's primary responsibility is to pursue justice, not merely obtain convictions. He stressed that the ruling serves as an important reminder that the criminal justice system must remain anchored in the principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors Must Seek Justice, Not Convictions
According to Mr. Fuseini, a prosecutor who prioritizes obtaining convictions over ensuring justice risks undermining the integrity of the criminal justice system. He described such a prosecutor as "an overzealous prosecutor who puts conviction over justice."
Mr. Fuseini further argued that the conduct of an accused person, including leaving the jurisdiction or being absent during proceedings, should never lessen the prosecution's legal obligation to establish every element of its case to the required standard.
Tamakloe-Attionu's Case: A Lesson in Prosecutorial Ethics
Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu had been convicted in absentia before being extradited from the United States to Ghana on June 9, 2026. She began serving her sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Female Prison on June 24 before successfully challenging the conviction at the Court of Appeal.
The appellate court held that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, setting aside the convictions previously entered against the former MASLOC Chief Executive by the High Court.
The State's Next Move: A Challenge to the Supreme Court
Following the judgment, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced that the state would challenge the decision at the Supreme Court. This move signals that the legal battle over the high-profile corruption case is far from over.
The Court of Appeal's decision has sparked a heated debate about the role of prosecutors in the Ghanaian justice system. As the state prepares to take the case to the Supreme Court, it remains to be seen whether the prosecution will learn from the lessons of the Tamakloe-Attionu case and prioritize justice over convictions.
In the meantime, Mr. Fuseini's words of caution serve as a timely reminder that the pursuit of justice must always take precedence over the pursuit of convictions. As the Ghanaian justice system continues to navigate the complexities of high-profile corruption cases, it is crucial that prosecutors remain committed to upholding the principles of justice and upholding the integrity of the system.
Source: Joy Online
