The Court of Appeal has acquitted and discharged Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, in a case that has sparked mixed reactions in the Volta Region. The three-member panel of the Court of Appeal overturned her 10-year prison sentence after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against her beyond reasonable doubt.
Acquittal Sparks Divided Reactions in Volta Region
The acquittal has been welcomed by some residents and political actors in Ho as a vindication of the former MASLOC boss, while others have expressed concern that the ruling could affect public confidence in efforts to hold public officials accountable for alleged financial misconduct. Mr Bright Kugbadzor, Deputy Volta Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), described Madam Tamakloe-Attionu as a "political prisoner" and said her conviction was part of what he considered a political witch-hunt.
He said the appellate court's decision demonstrated the importance of judicial independence and showed that the judiciary could determine cases based on evidence rather than political considerations. "Her discharge clearly shows that the judiciary is free from executive manipulation," he said.
Questions Over Prosecution Handling
However, not everyone is satisfied with the acquittal. Mr Bright Kwame Nyatsikor, a parliamentary candidate for the Adaklu Constituency, expressed a different view, arguing that the development could set a worrying precedent in the country's fight against corruption and efforts to recover public funds. "We are setting a wrong precedent when people sentenced for causing financial loss to the State are freed," he said.
Mr Bright Azim, Executive Director of a civil society organisation, also questioned the handling of the prosecution, particularly the work of the Attorney-General's Office in the case. "I thought the Attorney-General studied the case very well before the extradition of the woman," he said, urging the Attorney-General to strengthen the State's case if it decided to pursue further legal action.
Government to Challenge Decision at Supreme Court
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has since directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to challenge the Court of Appeal decision at the Supreme Court and has also sought a stay of execution of the appellate ruling. This move is aimed at upholding the government's commitment to accountability and ensuring that those who have been convicted of financial crimes face justice.
Madam Tamakloe-Attionu was originally sentenced in absentia by the High Court in April 2024 after being convicted on charges including stealing, conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and breaches of public procurement laws. She returned to Ghana in June 2026 following an extradition process from the United States and was taken into custody to begin serving the sentence.
The acquittal and discharge of Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu has brought to the fore the complexities of the country's justice system and the need for accountability in public offices. As the government seeks to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court, the Volta Region and the nation at large will be watching with keen interest to see how this case unfolds.
Source: Joy Online
