Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, says former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, remains in prison custody despite the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge her.
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Accra-based Channel One TV, the Abura Asebu Kwamankese MP dismissed claims that the former MASLOC boss had been home after returning to Ghana, insisting she has remained in lawful custody.
“For the avoidance of doubt, from the day that Sedina landed in Ghana till the Court of Appeal made its pronouncements, she has always been in prison custody. So, the claims that she was home and was not kept by Prison authorities are blatantly false. Should we publish pictures or show videos before you believe that she was in prison?” he asked.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that Madam Tamakloe-Attionu had not been released following the appellate court’s ruling.
“I can tell you Sedina has not been released; she’s still in custody,” he added.
His comments come after Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie granted permission for the Court of Appeal to sit during the legal vacation to hear the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution of the judgment. The application is scheduled to be heard on August 16.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced plans to stage a protest on Thursday, August 6, over the Court of Appeal’s decision, which the party says was flawed.
The party has also accused the government of using state institutions to intimidate opposition members while allegedly shielding its political allies from prosecution.
Madam Tamakloe-Attionu’s conviction and 10-year prison sentence for causing financial loss to the state were overturned by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The case stemmed from allegations that she unlawfully redirected a GH¢500,000 loan intended for Obaatanpa Microfinance after the institution declined the facility over its interest rate.
Following the ruling, the Attorney-General filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of the State’s appeal.
According to the Attorney-General, there is a risk that Ms Tamakloe-Attionu could leave the country before the Supreme Court determines the appeal, hence the request for a stay of execution.
