Nationwide Petroleum Authority (NPA) CEO Godwin Edudzi Tameklo has described the prosecution of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamekloe Atinu as a politically motivated motion aimed toward concentrating on opposition figures.
Showing on TV3’s Key Factors, Tamekuro accused the earlier New Patriotic Get together (NPP) authorities of pursuing what he termed a “relentless marketing campaign” to implicate Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC) appointees regardless of no concrete proof of wrongdoing.
He questioned the premise of the costs in opposition to Ms Tamakloe, significantly in relation to the procurement of buses throughout her time period. He stated that if there had been any inflation within the contract quantity, the suitable motion would have been to cancel the contract slightly than proceed making funds.
“If bus fares go up, what’s the rationale for the finance minister to pay with out breaking the contract?” he requested.
Tamekloe’s feedback come amid renewed controversy over the authorized battle surrounding him, who’s in search of to have his 2024 conviction and 10-year jail sentence overturned. She filed a petition with the Court docket of Enchantment, arguing that the costs in opposition to her had been flawed and that her trial was marred by procedural and evidentiary deficiencies.
Earlier in the identical program, non-public lawyer Martin Kpebu instructed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta may come underneath scrutiny over the matter, citing his position in approving funds associated to the controversial bus procurement.
“It’s turning into clear that Ken Ofori-Atta might have been concerned within the alleged monetary crimes,” Kpebu stated, including that public curiosity within the case is predicted to extend because the enchantment progresses.
Nevertheless, the NPP strongly rejected claims of political persecution. The celebration’s communications director, Richard Ahiagba, accused the NDC of attempting to guard Tamakloe from serving time in jail, and claimed the opposition was selectively defending its personal members.
He additionally criticized the federal government’s anti-corruption marketing campaign, claiming it was getting used as a way to focus on political opponents whereas defending allies.
Tamakloe’s enchantment challenges a number of elements of the prosecution’s case, together with the alleged GH¢500,000 transaction with Obatampa Micro Finance and the withdrawal of greater than GH¢1.8 million for consciousness campaigns. Her legal professionals argue that the state failed to provide sufficient proof to show wrongdoing past an inexpensive doubt and omitted key witnesses in the course of the trial.
Additionally they claimed that no funds associated to bus procurement had been made throughout her time period, and that essential monetary selections had been made after she left workplace.
The Court docket of Appeals is predicted to rethink the case within the coming months, and its resolution may obtain important nationwide and political consideration.
