Sedina Tamakloe is my friend, but this is about accountability - A-G defends appeal against acquittal

Dr. Dominic Ayine, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, defended his office's decision to appeal the Court of Appeal's ruling that acquitted former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, insisting the move is driven by legal principles and the pursuit of accountability. The Court of Appeal recently overturned the 10-year prison sentence imposed on Madam Tamakloe Attionu, acquitting and discharging her on all charges after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The unanimous decision was delivered by a three-member panel comprising Justice Emmanuel Ankamah, Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, and Justice Samuel Obeng-Diawuo. Speaking on Thursday, July 30, Dr. Ayine stated he had not yet studied the full judgment of the Court of Appeal and was therefore unable to comment on the merits of the decision. He said, "As a lawyer of many years' standing, I will not comment on a matter until I have read the judgment, and I have not read the judgment of the Court of Appeal. It has been sent to me; I have not read it." Dr. Ayine maintained that the decision to challenge the ruling was a professional one and insisted he remained convinced that the appeal should proceed, stating, "I took the professional decision, and I stand by it in principle that the appeal should be opposed."