Court of Appeal acquits and discharges Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu
Court of Appeal Overturns Conviction
The Court of Appeal has acquitted and discharged former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, bringing an end to a high-profile criminal case that had resulted in a 10-year prison sentence.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, the three-member appellate panel ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. As a result, the court set aside the convictions and sentence imposed by the High Court.
Appeal Challenged Conviction and Trial Process
The decision followed an appeal filed by Ms Tamakloe-Attionu, who challenged both the validity of her conviction and the legality of being tried and sentenced in absentia. Her legal team argued that the charges against her were fundamentally flawed and that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence to establish the offences beyond the criminal standard of proof.
After reviewing the case, the Court of Appeal agreed with the defence, concluding that the evidence presented was inadequate to sustain the convictions.
Background to the Case
Ms Tamakloe-Attionu served as Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC before being charged over the alleged misappropriation and diversion of state resources during her tenure.
She travelled to the United States in 2021 with permission from the High Court to seek medical treatment while her trial was ongoing. However, she did not return to Ghana, prompting the court to continue proceedings in her absence.
In 2024, an Accra High Court found her guilty of multiple offences, including causing financial loss to the state and stealing, and sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Extradition and Imprisonment
Following efforts by the Ghanaian authorities, Ms Tamakloe-Attionu was extradited from the United States and returned to Ghana on June 9, 2026.
She subsequently began serving her 10-year sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Female Prison on June 24, 2026.
Appellate Court Brings Case to a Close
The Court of Appeal’s ruling has now overturned the High Court’s judgment, acquitting and discharging Ms Tamakloe-Attionu of all the offences for which she had been convicted. The decision means the earlier conviction and prison sentence have been nullified, with the appellate court concluding that the prosecution failed to establish its case to the required criminal standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
