After being sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing financial loss to the state, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe, failed to appear in court for the proceedings. Legal expert Christian Malm-Hesse emphasized that any defense she may have must be grounded in the law to have any credibility.
Malm-Hesse expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the trial, emphasizing that as long as the legal process was followed correctly, justice was served. He highlighted that adherence to the rule of law is crucial in ensuring justice is delivered in cases like this.
While discussing the possible next steps for Tamakloe, Malm-Hesse mentioned extradition as a potential route for the state to pursue. This could be a significant development in the case, depending on the circumstances and legal justifications for her absence from court.
Alongside Tamakloe, MASLOC’s Director of Operations, Daniel Axim, was also handed a 5-year jail term for his involvement in the financial misappropriation scandal.
The charges against both individuals included conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, and other financial-related offenses. The court found them guilty on a total of 78 charges.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, the presiding judge, highlighted the severity of the crimes committed by professionals in positions of authority and the need for stringent consequences. The court provided a detailed breakdown of the sentencing for each charge, including terms of imprisonment and fines.
The trial revealed a series of fraudulent activities involving MASLOC funds, with Tamakloe accused of mismanaging substantial amounts of money for personal gain. The investigations uncovered various instances of financial mismanagement, including unauthorized expenditures, inflated pricing, and misappropriation of funds for personal use.
