The trial was not the problem – Awuah explains why Sedina’s return became necessary

The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has said public discussions about Sedina Tamakloe’s case often confuse two separate issues: participation in a trial and physical presence after conviction.

According to him, Sedina’s absence did not affect the validity of the trial itself because she was represented throughout the proceedings.

“The issue was not the trial. The issue arose after judgment was delivered,” he explained on Joy News.

Awuah said once the court convicted and sentenced Sedina, her presence became necessary because she was expected to be taken into custody.

“At that point she should have been handed over to the prison authorities. That is where her absence became significant,” he said.

He stressed that the distinction is important because many people incorrectly assume that being absent automatically invalidates court proceedings.

“These are separate legal matters and we need to put them on record properly,” he added.

Sedina returned to Ghana this week after a lengthy extradition process linked to her 2024 conviction.