ACCRA, Ghana – The Attorney-General has announced plans to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal acquitting former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Attionu Tamakloe, of all charges brought against her.
In a statement issued for immediate release, the Attorney-General said his office had taken note of the Court of Appeal’s ruling and would challenge the decision before the Supreme Court.
Background of the Case
Ms. Tamakloe was originally charged with 78 counts relating to alleged financial and procurement offences during her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC.
The charges included:
- 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
- Breaches of the Public Procurement Act
High Court Conviction
The former MASLOC CEO was tried in absentia before the High Court (Financial Division 2), presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, who sat as an additional High Court Judge.
Following the trial, the High Court found Ms. Tamakloe guilty and sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Attorney-General to Challenge Appeal Court Ruling
The Attorney-General has indicated that, despite the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit Ms. Tamakloe, the State intends to challenge the ruling by filing an appeal at the Supreme Court.
The Office of the Attorney-General says it remains committed to pursuing the matter through the legal process and will seek a final determination from Ghana’s highest court.
Further details on the grounds of appeal are expected to be made public once the appeal is formally filed.
