Hot!
MASLOC trial: I’II not consider trial in Absentia until sureties appear in court – Judge
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sedinam-Tamakloe-696x464-1.jpg&description=MASLOC trial: I’II not consider trial in Absentia until sureties appear in court – Judge', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sedinam-Tamakloe-696x464-1.jpg&description=MASLOC trial: I’II not consider trial in Absentia until sureties appear in court – Judge', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The High Court in Accra presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe has said it will not hear the application for trial in absentia of Ex-MALOC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sedina Christine Tamakloe Ationu until the two sureties appear before the court.
The court said, before it will consider the motion for her to be tried in absentia, the motion for forfeiture where the sureties are to appear before the court to explain the whereabouts of the 1st Accused is dealt with first.
The former CEO of MASLOC has since October 10, 2021 has been absent from the trial after she was granted permission to seek medical examination out of the country.
At the last court sitting, the state indicated to the court that, it had filed a fresh forfeiture motion against the two sureties who signed the bail bond for her.
However in court on Monday, May 9, 2022, Stella Ohene Appiah, a Principal State Attorney told the court that, even though the sureties are aware of the Forfeiture application, “technically, they have not been served.”
She, therefore, prayed for a two-week adjournment to enable the prosecution serve the sureties, one of them is said to have relocated to the Volta Region but “is not comfortable with EOCO investigator” knowing his new place of abode.
Just when the court was about to adjourned the case, the Principal State Attorney reminded the court about their application for her trial in absentia.
Justice Afia Serwah, therefore, said, until the forfeiture application is heard, he will not consider the application for the Ex-MASLOC CEO trial in absentia.
Fresh Forefeiture motion
On April 25, State prosecutors indicated they have filed a fresh application which sought to haul the two sureties who satisfied the bail conditions of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu over her continuous absence from the trial.
The moved followed a similar application which was earlier withdrawn on March 28 by the prosecution due to procedural challenges.
Sedina Tamakloe was on February 14, 2019 granted bail in the sum of GHc5 million with two sureties by the court, presided over by Mrs Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe.
This was after she pleaded not guilty to 78 counts of causing financial loss to the state, stealing, contravention of the public procurement act, among other charges.
She has since last year October been absent from court sitings after she was said to have travelled out of the country for medical examination.
On April 25, the prosecution led by Stella Ohene Appiah, a Principal State Attorney said, “We have filed a new application for forfeiture.”
She however told the court that, they have not been able to serve it on the sureties.
Mr Gavivina Tamakloe formerly with National Theatre and Alex Kofi Mensah Mould former GNPC CEO are the two persons who stood as sureties for the Ex-Masloc boss.
The forfeiture processes are to compel the sureties to come to the court and explain why they should not pay the GHc5m bail sum to the state.
The judge, Justice Asare-Botwe, has subsequently adjourned the case to May 9, 2022.
Daniel Axim, a former operations Manager of MASLOC is the second accused person and was present in court.
Charges
The former MASLOC CEO and Mr. Axim have been dragged to court for allegedly stealing, causing financial loss to the state to the tune of GH¢93 million, among other charges.
Together, the two are facing 78 counts of charges including conspiracy to steal, stealing, unauthorised commitment, resulting in a financial obligation for the government, improper payment, money laundering and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
The two accused persons allegedly stole a total amount of GH¢3,198,280 whiles at MASLOC and willfully caused a GH¢1,973,780 financial loss to the State.
Again, Ms. Attionu and her accomplice while in charge of MASLOC allegedly made unauthorized commitments resulting in financial obligations for the government to the tune of GH¢61,735,832.50.
The charges against the two also include a GH¢22,158,118.85 loss to public property and improper payment of GH¢273,743.66 as well as money laundering of GH¢3,704,380 whiles in charge.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
The Tema Regional Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly posing as a soldier and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public at Ashaiman.
The suspect, identified as Bright Atsu Kudiabor, was arrested by the Ashaiman Police on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at about 7:00 a.m.
According to the Police, he was arrested at an area known as “I Shall Return”, where he was allegedly parading himself as a soldier and demanding money from people.
The Police said Kudiabor, who is an ex-convict, was initially arrested by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service in Ashaiman with assistance from other members of the public.
A search conducted on him after he was handed over to the Police reportedly led to the recovery of a set of military camouflage uniform.
The suspect is currently in Police custody and assisting with investigations.
The Tema Regional Police Command said he would be processed for court after investigations are completed.
The Police urged the public to remain vigilant and report anyone who falsely presents themselves as a soldier or a member of another security agency to deceive or extort money from the public.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, says the Volta Region holds enormous agricultural potential and efforts must be geared towards connecting farmers to the needed resources to unlock that potential.
He said focus must be on linking farmers to resources, technology, financing and markets to increase production, create jobs and build sustainable livelihoods.
Hon. Gunu made the remarks at the national launch of the Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI) held at Anloga in the Volta Region on Tuesday, September 15.
The initiative, under the theme “Produce at Home. Feed the Nation. Export the Surplus,” seeks to boost local tomato production, processing and marketing while reducing Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported tomatoes.
The launch was attended by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, his Deputy, John Setor Dumelo, Feed Ghana Coordinator, Bright Demordzi, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, MMDCEs, farmers and other stakeholders.
Mr.Gunu expressed appreciation to the Minister for Food and Agriculture for the support announced for the region, including two excavators, 200 cartons of organic fertiliser, and GH¢200,000 for Ms. Kuatudzo Esther Dela, a tomato farmer and processor from Ziope.
He described the initiative as an important step towards making agriculture a stronger driver of food security, job creation and economic growth in the Volta Region.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
