Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has rejected allegations that the government influenced the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) CEO, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu.
The comments come after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) accused the government of having a hand in the court’s decision to overturn Ms Tamakloe-Attionu’s conviction.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Tuesday, August 4, Kwakye Ofosu described the allegations as baseless, insisting that the government had no involvement in the judicial process.
“I don’t think that the NPP has been serious in this particular discourse. Exactly what are they opposed to? Are they opposed to the Court of Appeal doing its work?” he questioned.
He challenged the NPP to explain how President John Dramani Mahama or the government could have influenced the case, stressing that the matter was determined by the courts.
“The claim that the government has anything to do with it is bogus. It defies logic and common sense if you look at the chronology of events. The NDC has nothing to do with this,” he said.
Kwakye Ofosu also dismissed claims that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) encouraged Tamakloe-Attionu to leave Ghana before her trial.
“The idea that we instigated her to leave this country is false. We were not in power at the time she left the country,” he stated.
The Court of Appeal recently overturned Tamakloe-Attionu’s 10-year prison sentence imposed by the High Court after she was convicted of causing financial loss to the state and other related offences.
In its ruling, the appellate court held that the prosecution had failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to her acquittal and discharge.
The case arose from allegations that Tamakloe-Attionu unlawfully diverted a GH¢500,000 loan intended for Obaatanpa Microfinance after the institution rejected the facility because of its interest rate.
Following the Court of Appeal’s decision, the Attorney-General filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking a stay of execution pending the State’s appeal.
The Attorney-General argued that there was a risk Tamakloe-Attionu could leave the country before the Supreme Court determines the appeal.
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has since 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. The matter has been scheduled for August 16.
Meanwhile, the NPP has announced plans to hold a protest on Thursday, August 6, against the Court of Appeal’s decision.
The party maintains that the judgment was wrong and has accused the government of applying political double standards by pursuing opposition figures while allegedly protecting its political allies from prosecution.
The government, however, has rejected the allegations and maintains that the judiciary acted independently in the matter.
