Attorney-General to appeal Court of Appeal ruling acquitting former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe

The Attorney-General has announced plans to challenge the Court of Appeal's decision acquitting former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Ms. Sedina Attionu Tamakloe, of all criminal charges brought against her.

In a statement today, the Attorney-General's Office said it had taken notice of the appellate court's decision and had instructed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to immediately file an appeal at the Supreme Court.

The Attorney-General has also directed the DPP to file an application for a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal's judgment pending the final determination of the appeal by the apex court.

Ms. Tamakloe had been prosecuted on 78 counts involving a range of alleged offences, 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, unauthorised commitments resulting in financial obligations to the Government, money laundering, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.

She was tried in absentia before the High Court (Financial Division 2), presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, JA, sitting as an additional High Court judge. The court found her guilty on the charges and sentenced her to 10 years' imprisonment.

Following her conviction, Ms. Tamakloe appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal. During the proceedings, the Republic opposed the appeal by filing written submissions, arguing that it lacked merit and should be dismissed.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's decision and acquitted the former MASLOC CEO of all the charges against her.

Reacting to the outcome, the Attorney-General said the government remains convinced that the Court of Appeal's decision should be reviewed by the Supreme Court and has therefore initiated the process to challenge the ruling.

The Attorney-General reaffirmed the government's commitment to upholding the rule of law and due process, expressing confidence that the appeal before the Supreme Court would succeed.