‘No Pardon for Sedinam’ — Akwatia MP Says Mahama Will Let Her Serve Jail Term

Akwatia MP Bernard Bediako Baidoo says President John Mahama will not grant a presidential pardon to former MASLOC CEO Sedinam Tamakloe, insisting she must serve her full 10-year sentence.

Speaking on _Frontline_ on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the MP told critics to “stop the panic and pessimism.” “President Mahama will not pardon her. He will not do it,” Baidoo said. “A president who prosecutes his own appointees will not interfere with this judicial outcome. These naysayers should stop their needless political agenda.”

Madam Tamakloe was convicted in absentia for financial malpractice and later extradited from the United States to Ghana. Baidoo called the extradition a “significant victory” that shows government’s commitment to fighting corruption.

He noted that, as a female inmate, she will undergo a mandatory medical exam to confirm she is not pregnant before starting her prison term.

*Right to appeal still stands*

Speaking as a lawyer, Baidoo stressed that Tamakloe still has constitutional rights. She was tried in absentia after being granted bail and court permission to seek medical care abroad, but did not return.

“There is no definitive evidence she intentionally ‘ran away’ as some allege,” he said, citing the _audi alteram partem_ principle — the right to a fair hearing.

He explained that in a civil case her lawyers could have moved to set aside the judgment due to her absence. But because it is a criminal matter, her only remedy is an appeal, which her legal team filed in February 2026. The appeal runs over 70 pages.

“The final decision on whether her appeal succeeds or fails rests entirely with the court,” Baidoo told host Kwabena Agyapong.

He added that the conviction was lawful because Tamakloe had been given the chance to defend herself before leaving the country.