Speak law, not emotions – Amaliba fires back at Mercer on Sedina Tamakloe’s release

Former Director of Legal Affairs of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba, has rejected claims by a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Andrews Agyapa Mercer, that the release of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, vindicates the opposition party’s concerns about selective justice. Mr Amaliba said Ms Tamakloe-Attionu’s release was the logical consequence of her acquittal and discharge by the Court of Appeal. Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, August 12, he argued that the government could not have prevented her release after an independent court had delivered its judgment.

“How can a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction become a matter of ‘we told you so’? It cannot … I think that we should speak law and stop speaking with emotions,” he said. Mr Amaliba stressed that the judiciary is an independent arm of government and that its decisions must be respected.

He said even if the NDC government had wanted Ms Tamakloe-Attionu to remain in custody, it could not have simply overturned or ignored the court’s decision. “Even if we as a party wanted to do it, how could we have done it? Another arm of government, independent as it is, and respectable as it is, gave that ruling,” he added.

His comments followed remarks by lawyer and NPP member Andrews Agyapa Mercer, who said he was not surprised by Ms Tamakloe-Attionu’s release. Mr Mercer argued that the development reinforced concerns that the government was selectively pursuing cases involving political opponents. The script that was formulated when the NDC came into office commenced with the nolle prosequi that they entered for all persons affiliated with the NDC who were standing trial in the courts,” he said.

Mr Mercer further questioned the circumstances surrounding the Attorney-General’s decision to withdraw the application for a stay of execution after the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Ms Tamakloe-Attionu. He suggested that the development vindicated earlier concerns raised by the NPP about the government’s handling of cases involving individuals associated with political parties. Mr Amaliba, however, maintained that such claims failed to account for the role of the judiciary in the matter.

He said the appropriate approach was to examine the lega… Lawyer and member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Andrews Agyapa Mercer, has questioned the fairness of Ghana’s justice system following the release of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu. Speaking on JoyNews’ Top Story on Wednesday, August 12, Mr Mercer said the latest development reinforces concerns that the government is selectively pursuing cases involving political opponents.