NPP brands Sedina Tamakloe acquittal 'travesty of justice'

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the Court of Appeal's decision to overturn all 78 convictions against former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu, describing the ruling as "a travesty of justice" and alleging that politics influenced the outcome.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said it was "shocked and dismayed" by the unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and discharge Ms Tamakloe after quashing her earlier conviction and 10-year prison sentence.

The Court of Appeal ruled that prosecutors had failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt and found significant flaws in the prosecution's evidence and the charges brought against the former MASLOC boss.

The NPP, however, rejected that outcome, insisting the original conviction followed years of judicial proceedings and was supported by substantial evidence.

"It defies logic, law and common sense," the party said, arguing that a conviction it described as being based on "an abundance of evidence" should not have been overturned.

Claims of political interference

The opposition alleged that the acquittal was politically motivated, pointing to what it described as the speed with which the appeal was concluded following Ms Tamakloe's extradition to Ghana in June.

The statement also accused the Attorney General of adopting a selective approach to corruption prosecutions since January 2025, alleging that cases involving individuals linked to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) had been discontinued while prosecutions involving opposition figures had continued.

The NPP argued that Thursday's judgment would deepen public concerns about the independence of Ghana's criminal justice system.

Background to the case

Ms Tamakloe served as MASLOC Chief Executive between November 2013 and January 2017.

She was charged in 2019 with 78 counts, including stealing, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, breach of the Public Procurement Act and related offences arising from her tenure at the state lending agency.

After leaving Ghana for medical treatment during the trial and failing to return, she was convicted in absentia by the High Court in 2024 and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. She was extradited from the United States and returned to Ghana on 9 June 2026.

On July 30, the Court of Appeal unanimously quashed all convictions after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and identifying significant legal and evidential shortcomings in the proceedings.

NPP demands further action

Following the judgment, the NPP called on the Attorney General to provide a public account of corruption-related cases that have been discontinued since January 2025.

The party also urged the government, "as a matter of consistency and fairness", to discontinue criminal proceedings involving former officials of the previous NPP administration if the same standard was being applied.

It further called on the Judicial Council and the leadership of the Judiciary to take steps to restore public confidence in the administration of justice, while indicating it would explore all lawful avenues, including the possibility of a review at the Supreme Court where available.

The Attorney General has not publicly responded to the NPP's allegations. The Court of Appeal judgment remains the operative legal decision in the case.