Edem Agbana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Keitu North constituency, has strongly criticized the state’s prosecution of Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu, the former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), in her absence.
Agbana described the conviction and sentencing of Sedina to 10 years in prison for allegedly causing financial loss to the state as a miscarriage of justice.
The Financial and Economic Court 2 of the Accra High Court delivered the verdict on Tuesday, April 16, also sentencing the Director of Operations, Daniel Axim, to 5 years in jail. Agbana, speaking on TV3 New Day, emphasized that while the NDC supports holding public officials accountable for their actions, the legal proceedings must be conducted in accordance with the law.
Agbana highlighted Article 19(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates that criminal proceedings should be conducted in the presence of the accused. He pointed out that Sedina had not absconded but had sought permission from the court, through her lawyers, to travel abroad for medical treatment. Despite providing evidence of her medical condition, the court proceeded to try her in absentia, which Agbana deemed as a miscarriage of justice.
He expressed confidence in Sedina’s legal team to appeal the court’s decision, believing that they will take the necessary steps to challenge the ruling. The former MASLOC CEO and the Director of Operations faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and contravention of the Public Procurement Act. Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah indicated that the state will pursue the extradition of Sedina to begin serving her prison sentence.
