Accra: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed its vehement disapproval of the recent court ruling that acquitted Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, describing the decision as a defiance of 'law, logic, and common sense.' The party's condemnation comes just weeks after Tamakloe-Attionu was extradited from the United States to serve a 10-year prison sentence.
According to Ghana Web, Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted by the High Court in April 2024 on numerous charges, including stealing, causing a financial loss of GHS90 million to the state, money laundering, and violations of the Public Procurement Act. Her trial spanned five years, during which she fled the jurisdiction and was convicted in absentia. The NPP highlighted Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe's judgment, which they claim meticulously outlined fraudulent disbursements, including funds intended for loan beneficiaries and victims of the Kantamanto Market disaster.
The NPP criticized the ruling as an affront to the investigative efforts of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the trial court's diligence, and the resources expended to secure her extradition on June 9, 2026. They accused the government of orchestrating the acquittal to protect her political allies, citing the swift resolution as evidence of this claim.
The party further alleged a recurring pattern since January 2025, where the Attorney-General employed nolle prosequi and case discontinuations to free individuals linked to the ruling party who faced charges related to public funds. The NPP argued that this acquittal was a backdoor method to achieve what could not be done overtly.
In response, the NPP is demanding that the Attorney-General release a comprehensive account of all discontinued cases involving government-affiliated individuals since January 2025. They also urged the Judicial Council to take immediate measures to restore public confidence in the judiciary, which they believe has been severely compromised by this decision. The NPP warned that dispensing justice based on party affiliation threatens the core of constitutional democracy and vowed to explore all legal avenues, including a Supreme Court review, to ensure accountability for those responsible for public financial misconduct.