The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly criticised the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedinam Christine Tamakloe Attionu, describing the ruling as a “travesty of justice” and evidence of what it says is a politicised justice system.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the opposition party said it received the Court of Appeal’s decision “with utter shock and dismay,” arguing that the acquittal undermines years of judicial proceedings and investigations into the case.
The NPP noted that Ms. Tamakloe had previously been convicted by the High Court in April 2024 on multiple charges, including stealing, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering and breaches of the Public Procurement Act, and was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
According to the party, the trial lasted five years and resulted in findings that her actions as MASLOC Chief Executive between 2013 and 2016 caused a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million to the state. The statement also recalled that she was tried and convicted in absentia before being extradited from the United States to Ghana in June 2026.
The NPP argued that the High Court’s judgment was supported by extensive evidence, including findings relating to fraudulent disbursements, unaccounted public funds and the diversion of MASLOC resources. It maintained that overturning the conviction was inconsistent with the evidence presented during the trial.
The party further alleged that the acquittal was politically motivated, claiming the speed with which the appeal was determined and the conduct of the Attorney-General since January 2025 raised concerns about political interference in the administration of justice.
The statement also accused the Attorney-General of discontinuing several criminal cases involving individuals associated with the governing party, alleging a pattern of unequal treatment under the law.
The NPP said the latest ruling weakens public confidence in Ghana’s criminal justice system and undermines efforts to protect public resources. It argued that justice should be based solely on evidence and the law rather than political considerations.
As part of its response, the party called on the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution of former appointees of the previous NPP administration if similar legal standards are to be applied. It also demanded the acquittal and discharge of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that his conviction is the subject of an appeal before the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal’s decision in the Sedina Tamakloe case has sparked political debate, with the Attorney-General’s Office separately announcing that it will challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court and seek a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
