Former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta (L) and Sedinam Tamakloe-Attionu
Frank Davies, lawyer for former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta, has criticised state security agencies over efforts to extradite his client from the United States.
According to him, the system appears biased in its pursuit of Ken Ofori-Atta, particularly when compared with the handling of the case involving former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer, Sedinam Tamakloe-Attionu.
Davies noted that Sedinam Tamakloe-Attionu has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction but has refused to return to Ghana. Yet, authorities appear less aggressive in pursuing her extradition.
He argued that a government that has repeatedly pledged to fight corruption must demonstrate fairness and consistency by pursuing all convicted persons with equal intensity.
Speaking in an interview on Joy News on 13 January 2025, Mr Davies stated that while Sedinam Tamakloe-Attionu has already been convicted, Ken Ofori-Atta has not yet faced trial and, therefore, priority should be given to extraditing her.
“Sedinam Tamakloe-Attionu has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of corruption and corrupt practices. She is a criminal fugitive in the United States. I think our government, standing on the promises it made to Ghanaians, should be able to bring Attionu back to Ghana before dealing with Ken Ofori-Atta.
“Sedinam Attionu has blood running through her veins; Ken Ofori-Atta has palm kernel oil, ‘adwe ngo’, running through his veins, so he is now more important than Sedinam, who has been convicted? Is this the justice we are preaching in Ghana? This double standard, hypocrisy and intellectual dishonesty will not help Ghana,” he said.
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Ken Ofori-Atta has been charged with corruption and corruption-related offences in connection with the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) scandal.
The government has formally requested his extradition from the United States to face the charges.
Meanwhile, the former MASLOC CEO was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in absentia by an Accra High Court.
Tamakloe-Attionu travelled abroad during the trial, reportedly for medical reasons, but failed to return to Ghana.
AM/EB
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