The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly condemned the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit and discharge former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu. The party described the ruling as a "travesty of justice" and evidence of a politicized legal system. This development follows Tamakloe's extradition from the United States just seven weeks prior, on June 9, 2026.
The NPP, in a statement issued on July 30, 2026, alleged that the acquittal was "politically motivated, orchestrated and planned." Tamakloe had been convicted in absentia on 78 counts and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour. The trial court found her actions had caused a loss of almost GHS 90 million to Ghanaian taxpayers.
This incident fits into a broader narrative of political tensions surrounding legal proceedings in Ghana. The NPP's General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, accused the Attorney General of systematically freeing government-affiliated individuals. This has allegedly occurred through a series of nolle prosequi, which are formal statements by a prosecutor to abandon a prosecution, and discontinuances since January 2025. Such actions raise concerns about the impartiality of the justice system and its impact on public confidence.
The NPP statement highlighted the extensive evidence presented during Tamakloe's five-year trial. "Anyone who has carefully read the judgment of Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe convicting Madam Tamakloe Attinou will appreciate the sheer weight of evidence that was available to the court," the statement read. The party questioned how a conviction based on such evidence could be overturned so quickly after her extradition. This swift reversal, they argue, defies logic, law, and common sense.
In response to the acquittal, the NPP made four key demands. First, they called for the Attorney General to immediately discontinue all trials against former NPP administration appointees, citing consistency and fairness. Second, they demanded the immediate acquittal and discharge of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP. Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, a decision the NPP claims was politically motivated and lacked sufficient evidence. His lawyers have filed over 20 grounds of appeal.
Third, the NPP requested a full public account from the Attorney General regarding all cases involving government-affiliated individuals that have been discontinued or terminated since January 2025, along with the reasons. Finally, the party urged the Judicial Council and the judiciary's leadership to restore public confidence in the justice system. They believe the recent decision has "gravely undermined" this confidence. The NPP concluded by assuring Ghanaians that they would pursue all lawful avenues, including a Supreme Court review, to ensure accountability for those who "plundered the public purse."
The Attorney General has since directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision to the Supreme Court. An application for a stay of execution of the judgment has also been filed. This sets the stage for a significant legal battle at Ghana's highest court. The Attorney General's press release on the same day affirmed commitment to due process and confidence in the appeal's success. This ongoing legal and political dispute underscores the deep divisions and scrutiny facing Ghana's judicial system.