An Accra High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the Operations Manager of Microfinance & Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Daniel Axim, who has been charged alongside Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu for causing financial loss to the state.
This was after the accused person had refused to attend court for three consecutive times without any written or verbal notice to the court.
According to the presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, the case is a criminal matter and the accused persons although have been granted bail ought to be in court at all sitting days.
She, therefore, issued an arrest warrant for the accused person who has absented himself for three times, including yesterday’s sitting.
Justice Asare Botwe ordered the bailiffs to ensure the speedy execution of the bench warrant. She adjourned the matter to July 30, 2019.
Trial
Ms. Attionu and Mr. Axim have been dragged to court for stealing, causing financial loss to the state to the tune of GH¢93 million, among others.
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 while at MASLOC and wilfully caused a GH¢1,973,780 financial loss to the state.
Again, Ms. Attionu and her accomplice, while in charge of MASLOC, allegedly made unauthorised 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 while in charge.
Bail
They were granted bail by the court after their respective counsels prayed the court to grant them bail because they would always avail themselves for the trial.
Justice Asare Botwe granted Ms. Attionu bail in the sum of GH¢5 million with two sureties.
Mr. Axim, on the other hand, was also granted bail in the sum of GH¢1 million with one surety.
