The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has launched a blistering attack on the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, describing the ruling as “a travesty of justice” and further proof that Ghana’s criminal justice system has become politicised under the John Dramani Mahama administration.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, July 30, 2026, shortly after the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned Tamakloe’s conviction and 10-year prison sentence, the NPP alleged that the acquittal fits what it described as a pattern of legal decisions benefiting persons associated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The judgment marks another dramatic twist in one of Ghana’s longest-running corruption prosecutions. Tamakloe, who served as MASLOC Chief Executive between 2013 and 2016, was prosecuted over alleged financial irregularities during her tenure, including accusations of causing financial loss to the state, stealing, money laundering, improper payment of public funds and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.

Following nearly five years of trial proceedings before the Financial Division of the High Court, she was convicted in absentia in April 2024 after failing to return to Ghana for the continuation of the trial. The trial court sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty on multiple counts.

The prosecution had accused Tamakloe of creating unauthorized government financial obligations amounting to about GH¢61.74 million, embezzling approximately GH¢3.19 million and causing an additional financial loss of about GH¢1.97 million to the state.

State prosecutors also alleged that she retained GH¢500,000 refunded by Obaatanpa Microfinance, withdrew GH¢1.816 million for a nationwide sensitisation exercise in which only GH¢1,300 was reportedly spent on refreshments, diverted part of the GH¢1.465 million earmarked for victims of the 2013 Kantamanto Market fire, approved inflated vehicle purchases without Public Procurement Authority approval, purchased about 200 Samsung mobile phones at prices significantly above market value and approved ex-gratia and leave benefits for herself and her deputy.

Because Tamakloe remained outside Ghana throughout much of the proceedings, the High Court proceeded with the trial in accordance with Ghanaian law governing trials in absentia after determining that she had deliberately absented herself.

Following her extradition from the United States, Tamakloe arrived in Ghana on June 9, 2026, to begin serving her prison sentence. Her arrival, however, immediately sparked public controversy after uncertainty emerged over where she was being held.

Civil society organisations, including IMANI Africa, together with the Minority in Parliament, questioned reports suggesting she had not been transferred directly to prison. The issue generated widespread public debate, with allegations that she was being held in a secure location instead of a correctional facility.

Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu dismissed those claims, insisting Tamakloe remained in the lawful custody of the Ghana Prisons Service. It later emerged that she had initially been under medical care before being transferred to the Nsawam Medium Security Female Prison.

Barely seven weeks after her return to Ghana, the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned the High Court judgment, acquitted Tamakloe on all charges and ordered her immediate discharge.

The decision prompted an immediate reaction from the NPP, which argued that the acquittal ignored what it described as overwhelming evidence relied upon by the trial court.

According to the party, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe’s judgment painstakingly detailed fraudulent disbursements, unaccounted-for public funds, monies allegedly diverted from intended beneficiaries, including victims of the Kantamanto Market disaster, and several procurement irregularities.

The NPP maintained that overturning a conviction reached after years of judicial proceedings raises serious questions about the administration of justice.

The party further alleged that the timing of the acquittal, coming only weeks after Tamakloe’s extradition to Ghana, reinforces what it believes is a deliberate effort by the current administration to clear former NDC officials facing criminal prosecutions.

According to the opposition, the Attorney-General has, since January 2025, discontinued or withdrawn several criminal prosecutions involving persons associated with the governing party.

The NPP argued that Thursday’s ruling merely completes what it described as a broader pattern of shielding politically connected individuals from accountability.

The NPP also argued that the acquittal undermines years of investigative work undertaken by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the efforts of prosecutors, the High Court proceedings and the resources spent securing Tamakloe’s extradition from the United States.

The party warned that the ruling risks eroding public confidence in Ghana’s justice system and creating the perception that judicial outcomes depend more on political affiliation than on the evidence before the courts.

As part of its response, the NPP issued four major demands.

First, it called on the Attorney-General to discontinue all ongoing criminal prosecutions involving former appointees of the previous Akufo-Addo administration if the same standard is to be applied equally.

Secondly, the party demanded the immediate acquittal and release of Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that his conviction and 20-year prison sentence are currently under appeal and should receive the same judicial consideration.

Thirdly, the NPP called on the Attorney-General to publicly account for every criminal case involving persons affiliated with the governing party that has been discontinued, withdrawn or otherwise terminated since January 2025.

Finally, the opposition urged the Judicial Council and the leadership of the Judiciary to take urgent steps to restore public confidence in the justice system, insisting that Thursday’s judgment has significantly damaged public trust.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney-General has moved swiftly to challenge the Court of Appeal’s ruling. In a statement issued hours after the judgment, the Attorney-General directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to immediately file a Notice of Appeal at the Supreme Court together with an application seeking a stay of execution of the appellate court’s decision.

According to the Attorney-General, the Republic remains confident that the Supreme Court will overturn the acquittal and restore the High Court’s conviction.