Wontumi not more Ghanaian than Sedina — Nana Yaa Jantuah defends Court of Appeal ruling

Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah has defended the recent Court of Appeal's decision to acquit and discharge former MASLOC Chief Executive Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, rejecting claims that the ruling was politically influenced.

Speaking on Asempa FM's morning show, the former Convention People's Party (CPP) General Secretary said Tamakloe-Attionu was entitled to pursue the appeal process like any other Ghanaian.

She challenged the main opposition New Patriotic Party's (NPP) criticism of the acquittal, noting that the party has itself announced plans to appeal the 20-year sentence handed to its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard 'Wontumi' Antwi-Boasiako, over an illegal mining conviction.

"Sedinam is as Ghanaian as Wontumi. Wontumi is not more Ghanaian than Sedinam," she said.

She said convicted persons, including those found guilty of serious offences, have a right to appeal.

"Murderers and armed robbers can all file for appeal, that's what the court is there for," she said.

She also dismissed suggestions of bias in the ruling, pointing out that the case was decided by a three-member panel of judges.

Drawing on the independence of the judiciary, she noted that the NPP had itself benefited from court rulings during previous NDC administrations.

"NPP people went to court during President Atta Mills' time and were acquitted and discharged. Did they complain about that?" she asked.

"They went to court over Ghana@50. All manner of people went to court over various [corruption] issues."

She further accused the NPP of jailing more political opponents than any other party in the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

"Examine our Fourth Republic and ask yourself who has jailed more people than the NPP? Meanwhile, they are always lamenting and criticising. Are they more Ghanaian than others?" she said.

Questioning the basis of the criticism directed at the court, she added: "If Wontumi had been pardoned, they would praise the judges but for Sedina, it is unacceptable?

"Why, is it because she is not Ghanaian by blood or she is an NDC member?" she quizzed, sarcastically.