The Law 101: Burden of Proof, Defective Charges, and Constitutional Safeguards -Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu v. The Republic (Suit No: H2/17/2026)
For years, the name Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu has been synonymous with one of Ghana’s most sensational corruption trials. As CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), she was accused of siphoning millions meant for traders, farmers, and fire victims. The state painted a damning portrait: cash handovers at petrol stations, phantom training programmes, inflated contracts for…
On 30th July 2026, the Court of Appeal in Ghana overturned the convictions and sentences of Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu, former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), in a landmark reversal of a high-profile corruption trial. The case, initiated in 2014, revolved around accusations that MASLOC lost millions of Ghana Cedis due to fraudulent activities between 2013 and 2017.
According to the court's judgment, 34 out of 78 charges against Sedina were deemed defective and could not stand, while others were found to lack the necessary proof beyond reasonable doubt. Among the alleged fraudulent activities, the prosecution highlighted cash withdrawals, inflated procurement contracts, misappropriation of relief funds, and unauthorized payments, amounting to a cumulative loss of over 25 million Ghana Cedis and unauthorized government obligations exceeding 61 million.
The case against Sedina began in August 2014 when Obaatanpa, a microfinance company, received a loan of GH¢500,000 from MASLOC and was later forced to accept a cash payment at a petrol station, leading to an inquiry into the irregularities. Subsequent investigations uncovered further anomalies, including unaccounted funds for financial literacy programs, diverted relief funds following a fire incident, and inflated prices in single-sourced vehicle and mobile phone contracts, resulting in direct losses of over 25 million Ghana Cedis and unapproved procurement commitments of over 61 million Ghana Cedis.
Despite the damning evidence presented against her, Sedina was granted bail and allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment. She failed to return to the High Court, leading to a decision for her trial to proceed in absentia. Daniel Axim, her operations manager, faced a separate conviction of five years with hard labor for his role in the scheme.
However, both convictions and sentences were overturned on the grounds that the prosecution's case was riddled with gaps and lacked the necessary proof to sustain criminal convictions, casting doubt on the integrity of the original trial.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
