Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed claims that the government influenced the acquittal of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu.
His comments follow allegations by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the government played a role in the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge Ms Tamakloe-Attionu.
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 4, Mr Kwakye Ofosu rejected the allegations, insisting that the government had no involvement in the judicial process.
“I don’t think that the NPP has been serious in this particular discourse. Exactly what are they opposed to? Are they opposed to the Court of Appeal doing its work? Otherwise, I don’t understand what the fuss is about. Did President John Dramani Mahama sit on the case in question?” he asked.
He added, “The claim that the government has anything to do with it is bogus. It defies logic and common sense if you look at the chronology of events. The NDC has nothing to do with this.”
Mr Kwakye Ofosu also dismissed claims that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) encouraged Ms Tamakloe-Attionu to flee the country before her trial.
“The idea that we instigated her to leave this country is false. We were not in power at the time she left the country,” he said.
The Court of Appeal recently overturned Ms Tamakloe-Attionu’s conviction by the High Court, which had sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of causing financial loss to the state and related offences. The appellate court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case centred on allegations that Ms Tamakloe-Attionu unlawfully diverted a GH¢500,000 loan intended for Obaatanpa Microfinance after the institution rejected the facility because of its interest rate.
Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment, the Attorney-General filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking a stay of execution of the ruling pending the determination of the State’s appeal.
The Attorney-General argued that there was a risk Ms Tamakloe-Attionu could leave the country before the Supreme Court determines the appeal.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has granted permission for the Court of Appeal to sit during the legal vacation to hear the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution. The matter has been scheduled for August 16.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced plans to stage a protest on Thursday, August 6, over the Court of Appeal’s ruling. The party maintains that the judgment was erroneous and has accused the government of intimidating members of the opposition while allegedly shielding its political allies from prosecution.
Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
