The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, describing the ruling as a "travesty of justice" that defies "law, logic and common sense".
In a press statement issued on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the NPP expressed outrage that Tamakloe-Attionu was freed just weeks after being extradited from the United States to begin serving a 10-year prison sentence . The former MASLOC boss had been convicted in April 2024 by the High Court on 78 counts, including causing GH¢90 million in financial loss to the state, stealing, money laundering, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act .
Her legal troubles began in 2019 when she was first arraigned before the High Court over alleged financial irregularities at MASLOC during her tenure as Chief Executive Officer . After traveling to the United States in 2021 with court permission for medical treatment, she failed to return, prompting the trial to proceed in her absence .
Following a successful extradition process initiated by the government, Tamakloe-Attionu was returned to Ghana on June 9, 2026, and began serving her sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Female Prison on June 24 .
However, on Thursday, July 30, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal comprised of Justices Emmanuel Ankamah, Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, and Samuel Obeng-Diawuo unanimously overturned the conviction . The appellate court ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and criticized the trial court for losing sight of the constitutional principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty .
NPP Alleges Political Motivation
The NPP's statement, signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, argued that the High Court's original judgment by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe "meticulously details, count after count, the fraudulent disbursements," including funds intended for loan beneficiaries and victims of the Kantamanto Market disaster . The party questioned how such a conviction "anchored on such an abundance of evidence could be overturned in this manner" .
The opposition party further accused the government of orchestrating the acquittal, alleging a pattern since January 2025 where the Attorney-General has used nolle prosequi and discontinuations to free individuals affiliated with the governing party . "What could not be achieved through the front door of a nolle prosequi has now been achieved through the back door," the statement declared .
The NPP is demanding that the Attorney-General publish a full account of all discontinued cases involving government-affiliated persons since January 2025, and has called on the Judicial Council to take urgent steps to restore public confidence in the judiciary . The party warned that "when justice is dispensed on the basis of party affiliation, the very foundation of our constitutional democracy is imperilled" .
Attorney-General Vows to Appeal
In a surprising development, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has announced that his office will challenge the Court of Appeal's decision at the Supreme Court . Despite the fact that Tamakloe-Attionu was prosecuted under the previous administration, Dr. Ayine insisted that "the judgment of the High Court has merit" and directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to file a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution .
"I have directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to apply for a stay of execution. Meaning that if the stay is granted, the status quo will prevail until the Supreme Court has had time to review the appeal and make a determination," Dr. Ayine stated during the Government Accountability Series on Thursday .
The Attorney-General argued that the Court of Appeal's ruling resulted in a "substantial miscarriage of justice" due to what he described as material errors of law and fact . The Republic maintains that the appeal raises substantial and arguable grounds with a "real likelihood of success" .
In a related development, the NPP has demanded the immediate discontinuation of all criminal cases against former appointees of the previous Akufo-Addo administration, citing what it called a "politically motivated justice system" . The party specifically called for the acquittal of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), who was recently convicted and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment .
The case continues to generate significant public debate about the independence of Ghana's judiciary and the perception of political influence in high-profile prosecutions .
