The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice has announced plans to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision acquitting former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Attionu Tamakloe, of all charges brought against her.
In a press release issued on Thursday, July 30, the Attorney-General’s Office said it had taken note of the appellate court’s ruling, which overturned Ms. Tamakloe’s conviction and sentence imposed by the High Court.
Ms. Tamakloe had been standing trial over multiple allegations relating to her tenure as MASLOC Chief Executive.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINER: Why the Court of Appeal Acquitted Former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu
She was charged with 78 counts, including conspiracy to steal, stealing, conspiracy to cause financial loss to the state, causing financial loss to the state, causing loss to public property, improper payment of public funds, unauthorized commitments resulting in financial obligations to the government, money laundering, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.
She was convicted in absentia by the High Court (Financial Division 2), presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, who sat as an additional High Court judge. Following her conviction, she was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the Republic had vigorously opposed Ms. Tamakloe’s appeal, filing written submissions arguing that the appeal lacked merit and should be dismissed.
Despite those arguments, the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and acquitted the former MASLOC boss, prompting the Attorney-General to initiate a further legal challenge.
The statement disclosed that following notification of the appellate court’s decision, the Attorney-General directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to immediately file a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court.
The state will also seek a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal’s judgment pending the determination of the appeal.
“The Attorney-General remains committed to the due process of law and is confident that the appeal before the Supreme Court will succeed,” the statement said.
The latest development marks another chapter in one of Ghana’s high-profile public sector corruption cases, with the Supreme Court now expected to determine whether the Court of Appeal erred in overturning the High Court’s conviction of the former MASLOC Chief Executive.
CREDIT: MAVIS FANTEVI