A former Deputy Attorney-General under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration, Joseph Kpemka, has defended the prosecution of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedinam Christine Tamakloe Attionu, describing the allegations against her as among the most disturbing cases he encountered during his time in office.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Kpemka said he was shocked when he first reviewed the case documents and described some of the alleged acts as appearing to be deliberately orchestrated.
He said the facts presented in the case were difficult to comprehend, adding that the allegations went beyond ordinary financial misconduct.
“When the copies were made for us to have a look at it by the Attorney-General, and to have a conference to discuss the details, I actually cringed. I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
Mr. Kpemka cited several examples from the case, including an allegation involving a loan transaction with a rural bank, where he claimed funds were transferred without a prior agreement between MASLOC and the bank.
According to him, after the rural bank decided it could not benefit from the terms of the loan and sought to return the money, the repayment process was allegedly handled outside standard corporate procedures.
He alleged that instead of returning the funds directly into MASLOC’s account, the money was withdrawn and transported to Accra, where it was handed over in cash to the former MASLOC boss.
Mr. Kpemka also referred to other allegations, including funds meant for nationwide sensitisation workshops, support for victims of a market fire disaster, and procurement of items, which he claimed were not used for their intended purposes.
He said some procurements were allegedly made at significantly inflated prices, including vehicles purchased at values he described as far above market rates.
The former Deputy Attorney-General noted that the case involved 78 charges and described it as one of the most extensive prosecutions he encountered while serving as Deputy Attorney-General in charge of criminal prosecutions.
Mr. Kpemka urged current public officials to learn from the case, warning that those entrusted with public resources would eventually face accountability if they engaged in acts of wrongdoing.
“Day of accountability will come. And when it comes, you will be in that dock alone,” he cautioned.
His comments come after the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Madam Tamakloe, who had earlier been convicted by the High Court and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for offences including stealing, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.
The Attorney-General has since announced plans to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision at the Supreme Court.
