FULL RULING: Why Court of Appeal acquitted former MASLOC CEO

The Court of Appeal has unanimously acquitted and discharged Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), overturning her previous 10-year prison sentence.

Delivering its unanimous judgment on July 30, 2026, the three-member panel held that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against Tamakloe-Attionu beyond a reasonable doubt.

Court of Appeal acquits and discharges former MASLOC boss Sedina Tamakloe

The court further found that the trial judge had improperly shifted the burden of proof onto the appellant, contrary to the constitutional presumption of innocence.

Here are some highlights of the ruling:

1. Burden of proof misapplied

The Court held that the trial judge repeatedly shifted the burden of proof onto the appellant, requiring her to establish her innocence instead of requiring the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The Court said this violated Articles 19(2)(c) and 19(10) of the 1992 Constitution.

2. Charge sheet defective

The Court ruled that the charges of willfully causing financial loss to the State and causing loss to public property failed to specify the particular acts or omissions allegedly committed by the appellant. This, the Court said, violated her constitutional right to be informed in detail of the nature of the offence.

3. Insufficient prosecution evidence

The Court found that the prosecution relied on hearsay evidence to support claims that sensitisation programmes had not been conducted, noting that the regional directors who allegedly had first-hand knowledge were never called to testify.

The Court also noted evidence indicating that funds intended for victims of the Kantamanto fire were used for their intended purpose.

4. Preliminary objection dismissed

The Court rejected the respondent's contention that the appellant, as a fugitive, was barred from pursuing her appeal. It held that the objection failed to comply with Rule 16 of C.I. 19 because no proper notice of preliminary objection had been filed.

5. All substantive convictions quashed

The appellate court set aside the convictions for conspiracy to steal, stealing, willfully causing financial loss to the State, causing loss to public property, money laundering, and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.

The Court subsequently entered a verdict of acquittal and discharge.

See the full ruling below:



JKB/MA

Let’s put all differences aside and give our father a befitting burial – Maame Ode