Kennedy warns against special treatment for convicted MASLOC ex-boss

Political activist and physician Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy has said former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu should serve her prison sentence following her conviction on multiple corruption-related charges.

His comments come amid public debate over the legal implications of Tamakloe-Attionu's return to Ghana and questions surrounding the enforcement of her sentence.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, Dr Kennedy argued that the conviction should be allowed to take its course, dismissing suggestions that time spent outside Ghana could be considered part of any custodial sentence.

"Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu should be in jail. The conviction is clear," he said.

"I think only lawyers would argue about whether when you spend a couple of years relaxing abroad, you have served some of your sentence. It is common sense that if you haven't been in prison, you haven't served any of your sentence."

Concerns over bail and possible pardon

Dr Kennedy also expressed reservations about the possibility of Tamakloe-Attionu being granted bail pending appeal, warning that such a move could undermine public confidence in the justice system.

"It will be surprising if she is granted bail, and it will fuel even more my scepticism about the fairness of our judicial process," he said.

He further cautioned that a presidential pardon, while constitutionally permissible, could reinforce perceptions that influential individuals receive preferential treatment.

"If the President grants her a pardon, of course he has a right to grant pardons, but it will still feed the public's perception that there are special rules for powerful people," he stated.

According to Dr Kennedy, many Ghanaians believe there is a disparity between the treatment of petty offenders and those convicted of financial crimes involving public funds.

"I think that in this country, you are in more danger being a cassava or plantain thief than stealing millions from the state using a pen or connections, and I stand by that conviction," he said.

Health concerns should not override sentence

Addressing concerns about Tamakloe-Attionu's health and the circumstances surrounding her return to Ghana, Dr Kennedy said such issues should not be used to avoid serving a lawful sentence.

He argued that authorities would not have proceeded with her transfer if there were serious medical concerns that could be exacerbated by the process.

"I think the Americans will not extradite somebody whose health will be jeopardised by the extradition process," he said.

He added that while health considerations must be respected, Ghana's prison system is capable of providing medical care where necessary.

Call for accountability

Dr Kennedy maintained that decisions involving convicted public officials must be guided by accountability and the need to strengthen confidence in state institutions.

However, he suggested that any future consideration of clemency could be viewed differently if it involved restitution to the state.

"Of course, you can do a pardon in which the person does restitution and brings back punitive damages, just like a plea deal or something like that," he said.

His remarks add to the growing public debate over accountability, corruption convictions and public perceptions of justice in Ghana.