The Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has rejected allegations that President John Dramani Mahama and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) influenced the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu.

His comments come after the Court of Appeal in Accra overturned Tamakloe-Attionu’s conviction and 10-year prison sentence imposed by the High Court in April 2024.

The appellate court ruled in her favour, acquitting and discharging her after hearing her appeal against the conviction, a decision that has sparked mixed reactions, with some members of the public alleging political interference.

Speaking in an interview with Kwesi Parker-Wilson on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu dismissed the allegations as “bogus lies,” insisting that the judicial process began under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

“Those claims are bogus lies. Under which government was Sedina sent to court? Under which government did Sedina leave the country? The NPP government. When did Sedina file her appeal? Under the NPP. If she filed an appeal, shouldn’t the court hear it? Is this the first time the Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court ruling?” he questioned.

To support his argument, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu cited the criminal case involving Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, whose acquittal by the Court of Appeal occurred under the previous administration after the appellate court overturned an earlier High Court decision.

“Take Ato Forson’s case. The High Court ruled that he should open his defence, but the Court of Appeal later held that the High Court had erred, leading to his acquittal and discharge. Those making these allegations have no basis. It is simply an emotional response,” he said.

He acknowledged public concerns about corruption but stressed that the fight against corruption must not come at the expense of justice.

“People are concerned about corruption and protecting public funds, and those are legitimate concerns. But that does not mean that once a person is accused, they should automatically be jailed. There is nothing more corrupt than imprisoning an innocent person,” he added.

Background

Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC, was convicted by the High Court in April 2024 after being tried in absentia on multiple charges relating to the misuse of public funds during her tenure at the state-run microfinance institution.

The court sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of causing financial loss to the state and other offences. She had left Ghana before the conclusion of the trial and subsequently appealed the conviction.

On August 3, 2026, the Court of Appeal set aside the High Court’s judgment, acquitting and discharging Tamakloe-Attionu after determining that the conviction could not be sustained. The ruling effectively cleared her of the charges for which she had been convicted, bringing an end to the appeal process in her favour.
Source: KAB