Sedina Tamakloe Case: Godfred Dame’s Prosecution Was Weak; Trial Court’s Handling Must Be Reviewed — Solomon Owusu

Director of Communications for the United Party (UP), Solomon Owusu, has criticised the prosecution led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame in the criminal case involving former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, describing it as weak and ineffective.

Mr Owusu also called for a review of the trial court’s handling of the matter, arguing that the Court of Appeal’s judgment revealed significant flaws in both the prosecution’s case and the trial process.

Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Insight programme on Saturday, August 1, Mr Owusu said his assessment of the appellate court’s ruling raised serious concerns about the quality of the evidence and arguments presented by the prosecution.

His comments follow the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the 10-year prison sentence imposed on Madam Tamakloe-Attionu by the High Court.

According to Mr Owusu, although the former MASLOC boss was charged with multiple offences, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy to steal and improper use of public property, the prosecution failed to build a strong enough case to secure a conviction.

“Sedina Tamakloe was accused of causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy to steal and improper use of state property. The number of counts was 78, but when you drill it down, it becomes about nine,” he said.

He argued that the Court of Appeal’s findings, particularly regarding several of the charges, exposed major weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

“When you go into the judgment, charges five to 71, my goodness — that we had an Attorney-General who went to court and did this? No substance, no clarity,” Mr Owusu stated.

He maintained that the prosecution failed to meet the constitutional threshold required in criminal proceedings, referencing Article 19(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees fair trial rights.

Mr Owusu, however, emphasised that persons suspected of wrongdoing must be prosecuted, but the state must ensure that cases are properly prepared and supported by sufficient evidence.

“The mere fact that we are saying you must prosecute… if you know people have stolen, make sure you do a watertight case so that nobody gets away with it,” he said.

The UP Communications Director further criticised the performance of the former Attorney-General in the matter, describing the prosecution effort as disappointing.

“Godfred Dame — total waste of our time,” he added.

Mr Owusu also raised concerns about the trial judge’s handling of the case and urged the judiciary to review the circumstances surrounding the judgment.

“The judge who sat on this matter, the judiciary must take a second look at her. If this is how they come by their conclusions, if this is how they disregard the laws of the land…” he said.

He concluded that the Court of Appeal’s decision pointed to shortcomings in both the prosecution and the trial process, describing them as signs of an ineffective handling of the case.