The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the government of using the Court of Appeal as a “back door” to free politically connected persons, following the acquittal and discharge of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu on Thursday, July 30.
Sedina Tamakloe Attionu was convicted by the High Court in April 2024 and sentenced to 10 years for stealing, causing GH¢90 million in financial loss, money laundering and procurement breaches.
She, however, left the jurisdiction during trial.
She was consequently convicted in absentia, and later extradited from the US.
On Thursday, she was set free by the Court of Appeal.
In a press statement, the NPP said the acquittal was “politically motivated, orchestrated and planned”.
“The speed and convenience with which this matter has been disposed of leaves no room for any other conclusion,” the party stated.
The NPP alleged this completes a pattern started in January 2025 where the Attorney-General has used nolle prosequi and discontinuations to free “virtually every person affiliated to the governing party” standing trial for offences against the public purse.
“What could not be achieved through the front door of a nolle prosequi given that the accused stood already convicted has now been achieved through the back door,” the statement said.
The party cited trial judge Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe’s judgment for the “meticulously details, count after count, the fraudulent disbursements” including monies for Kantamanto Market disaster victims.
“That a conviction anchored on such an abundance of evidence could be overturned in this manner defies logic, law and common sense.”
The NPP is demanding the AG publish a full account of all discontinued cases involving government-affiliated persons since January 2025.