The Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu of all

on the 78 counts of crimes , including stealing, conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering and procurement breaches.

While the ruling has sparked massive backlash from a section of the public and particularly the Minority in Parliament who have cited political interference ans bias, Private legal practitioner Justice Abdulai has defended the Appelate court’s ruling, describing it as legally sound despite the intense political debate it has generated.

He argues that despite the variant political opinions and public perception, a meticulous assessment of the Appeal Court’s ruling will clarify the public misconception and discontent with little room for careful legal assessment of the Court of Appeal’s little room for criticism.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Saturday, August 1, Justice Abdulai said discussions surrounding the case have largely been driven by politics rather than the legal principles underpinning the appellate court’s decision.

“Unfortunately, I cannot divorce myself from the political angle, but I do respect the opinions of my colleagues from both angles. There is a bit of politics, there is indeed a bit of public perception, and then there is the purely legal aspect of it,” he said.

He believes most people are talking about the political side of the case instead of the legal issues because there are few legal flaws in the court's decision.

“I think the legal bit is where most people would not want to address because, looking at the judgment as delivered, I think it will be very difficult for you to fault it completely. It is a sound judgment. It’s a good law,” he stated.

On his part, attempts to challenge the ruling will be unsuccessful noting that critics have instead found it easier to frame the discussion in political terms.

“So faulting it or using it as a basis for these arguments may not yield to those who would want to take this whole argument from the legal angle. It is easier then to make it politics rather than legal,” he added.

Background

In 2017, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) launched an investigation into MASLOC's operations under Madam Tamakloe Attionu's leadership. The investigation uncovered alleged financial irregularities and embezzlement involving officials of the institution.

Findings

EOCO alleged that its investigations uncovered fraudulent disbursements of MASLOC funds, inflated procurement of vehicles and mobile phones without approval from the Public Procurement Authority, misappropriation of funds intended for victims of the 2013 Kantamanto Market fire, and questionable ex gratia payments made to Madam Tamakloe Attionu and her deputy.

Consequently, in January 2019, she was arraigned before the High Court on 78 counts, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering and procurement breaches.

After about two years of legal proceedings, she sought and obtained permission to travel to the United States for medical treatment. However, she failed to return to Ghana to continue participating in the trial and was subsequently tried in absentia.

In 2024, the Accra High Court sentenced Madam Tamakloe Attionu to 10 years' imprisonment in absentia after finding her guilty of multiple offences, including causing financial loss to the state and theft. The court held that her actions as MASLOC Chief Executive between 2013 and 2016 resulted in a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million to the state.

Following her conviction, Ghanaian authorities intensified efforts to secure her return, with the government formally requesting her extradition from the United States in 2025.

A United States District Court in Nevada subsequently considered the extradition request and, after reviewing the application and supporting legal documentation submitted by Ghanaian authorities, certified the request, paving the way for her return to Ghana.