NPP’s Planned Protest Over Sedina Acquittal A Waste Of Time – Kwakye Ofosu
Source: Channel One News
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has criticised the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) planned demonstration against the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu.
His comments follow the NPP’s announcement that it will stage a protest on Thursday, August 6, over the Court of Appeal’s ruling. The party maintains that the judgment was erroneous and has accused the government of intimidating members of the opposition while allegedly shielding its political allies from prosecution. It has also claimed that democracy is under attack under the current administration.
Speaking during an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 4, Mr Kwakye Ofosu described the planned protest as unnecessary.
“Ridiculous waste of time. How does democracy come under attack when institutions of the state are working? At the heart of democracy is the rule of law. How does our democracy collapse because an individual has won a case?” he asked.
The Court of Appeal recently overturned Ms Tamakloe-Attionu’s conviction by the High Court, which had sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of causing financial loss to the state and related offences. The appellate court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case centred on an alleged GH¢500,000 refund from Obaatanpa Microfinance, funds meant for a nationwide sensitisation programme, and funds meant for victims of the 2015 Kantamanto Market fire disaster.
Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment, the Attorney-General filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking a stay of execution of the ruling pending the determination of the State’s appeal.
The Attorney-General argued that there was a risk Ms Tamakloe-Attionu could leave the country before the Supreme Court determines the appeal.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has granted permission for the Court of Appeal to sit during the legal vacation to hear the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution. The matter is scheduled for August 16.
