Court of Appeal Acquits and Discharges Former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe, Overturns 10-Year Sentence
28 July 2026
The Court of Appeal has overturned the conviction and 10-year prison sentence imposed on former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, acquitting and discharging her of all charges.
In a unanimous ruling delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel comprising Justices Emmanuel Ankamah, Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, and Samuel Obeng-Diawuo held that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The appellate court faulted the High Court's handling of the case, stating that the trial judge failed to uphold the constitutional presumption of innocence, a fundamental principle requiring every accused person to be considered innocent until proven guilty. It further concluded that the prosecution's evidence did not meet the legal threshold necessary to sustain the convictions.
The Court of Appeal indicated that the detailed basis for its decision is contained in a 94-page judgment, which is expected to be released before the close of business on Thursday.
Sedina Tamakloe was convicted by the High Court in April 2024 following a trial that commenced on January 30, 2019. She was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment after being found guilty on multiple charges linked to her tenure as MASLOC Chief Executive Officer.
The former MASLOC boss faced 78 charges, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, causing loss to public property, improper payment of public funds, unauthorized commitment, and money laundering.
The prosecution, led by the then Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and supported by investigations conducted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), alleged that Tamakloe diverted public funds through several MASLOC programmes. Among the allegations were the diversion of a GH¢500,000 loan intended for Obaatanpa Microfinance, misappropriation of funds allocated for MASLOC sensitisation programmes, diversion of relief funds meant for victims of the Kantamanto Market fire, and inflated procurement of vehicles and mobile phones.
During the trial, prosecutors called seven witnesses and relied extensively on a forensic audit report to support the charges.
With the Court of Appeal's ruling, the judgment of the High Court has been set aside, resulting in Sedina Tamakloe's acquittal and discharge on all counts. The prosecution may, however, seek a further appeal in accordance with Ghana's legal processes.
