By Barbara Kumah
An Accra High Court has adjourned the case involving, former Chief Executive Officer of Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC), Mrs. Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu and former Operations Manager Daniel Axim to January 25, 2022.
This follows the absence of Mrs. Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu in Court. The two who are facing various charges totaling 78, to which they have pleaded not guilty.
When the case was called for hearing January 10, 2022, Counsel for Mrs. Attionu, Kwesi Agbesi Dzakpasu informed the Court that his client was out of the country for medical attention.
He however told the Court, he does not know the current health status of his client and also does not know the address where she is currently based.
The State represented by Principal State Attorney, Madam Stella Ohene Appiah, argued that from the look of things, the lawyers for Mrs. Tamakloe Attionu, are not aware when she would return to the Country. She added that the accused is trying to avoid trial. She, therefore, prayed the Court for Mrs. Tamakloe Attionu to be tried in absentia since the matter is a criminal case.
The Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, in her ruling, adjourned the case to January 25, 2022, pending an update on the status of the first accused.
The two accused persons, former Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC Mrs. Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu and Mr. Daniel Axim, former Operations Manager, have been charged with 78 counts which include stealing, willfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, causing loss to public property, improper payment of public funds, unauthorized commitment resulting in financial obligation for the government and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
With reference to the charges the total sum involved is estimated at GH₵ 93 million.
The two were granted bail to the tune of GH₵ 5 million with two sureties and GH₵ 1 million with one surety respectively.
