Irony of ironies. Who would have believed how things have turned out this week in the Republic’s extradition matters?
Earlier this year, our now stupefied-into-silence Attorney General announced to the world that he had proceeded with the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta, former Finance Minister, and Sedina Attionu, former boss of Masloc.
It was a case of the extradition of a female THIEF and convicted felon versus a male suspect, as it were. It was a matter of extraditing a woman who had been found guilty on 25 counts of STEALING by a competent Ghanaian court, and a man who has as yet not been served with any summons.
It was a situation in which a convicted thief, dearly beloved of the NDC fraternity was being coupled with a still innocent, and yet to be proven guilty of anything NPP man, deeply hated by the NDC. Indeed, it was a clear-cut case of the pursuit of justice versus the persecution of a political opponent.
However, in true Banana Republic style it was Ken Ofori-Atta who got the Mahama government’s media mileage. Fictitious “charges” were served on him by Mahama Government/NDC officials via television, radio and Tik Tok.
Nana Yaa Jantuah, Advisor to President John Mahama, offered on live television in response to the host’s question about onerous bail terms becoming the norm under President Mahama, “if Ken spends a month in jail, would he die?”
Under the auspices of the Attorney-General, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s January 20th hearing was broadcast live, through Ghanaian media. The suspect was shown wearing prescribed detention centre overalls and this image was broadcast widely for the whole world to see.
Nobody was left under any doubts that the authorities were aiming at maximum public disgrace of Kenneth Ofori-Atta. The campaign of degrading, demeaning, disgracing and making a public spectacle of Mr Ofori-Atta appeared to have reached its zenith.
Meanwhile, the certified THIEF and convicted felon was shielded from all media coverage, with no details of her hearing shared by the government and no pictures of her in detention garb ever shared anywhere. The John Mahama government shielded its own.
Fast forward to this week. Ken Ofori-Atta was released from ICE on April 7th. It turns out that five days before his release, on April 2nd, Sedina Tamakloe was certified to be extradited by a US court in Nevada. What an irony!
The Bible has lessons to share in such situations. Proverbs 26:27 states: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them” And in Esther 7:10 ….”they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.”
The plans and machinations to entrap Ken Ofori-Atta through ICE, have him deported, paraded on television and then ping-ponged through OSP-EOCO-CID with onerous bail conditions have failed. SPECTACULARLY. And instead, the NDC’s precious thief has been certified by a US Court to be extradited.
Once again, the John Mahama government has been rendered speechless and dumbfounded. This media-hungry government that parrots even the most mundane news has NOT been able to share with the people of Ghana, whose money Sedinam stole, what transpired in Nevada for TEN (10) long days.
It appears the John Mahama government’s sore throat has become extremely severe. This state of paralysis and inertia needs a more serious intervention than Honourable John Dumelo’s ginger.
I humbly call on Tobinco, Kinapharma, Kama -Ghana’s pharmaceutical giants – as well as Mampong Herbal and Noguchi to please intervene to urgently help with a treatment.
Meanwhile, the verdict is out. It is abundantly clear that the Mahama Government is only interested in doing propaganda with the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta. Every single time their plans against Ofori-Atta fail, they disappear and wait for Ofori-Atta’s lawyers or the media to update the people of Ghana.
It happened with Ken Ofori-Atta’s INTERPOL Red Notice suspension, its permanent deletion and again on April 9 when he was released.
Where is our camera-loving Attorney General with his flashy suits and cavalier manner to come and explain to us what has happened? Dear AG, gentle reminder: if holding a “Fumble to Mumble” press conference is too much for your palate at this time, Bola Ray still dey! And I believe Samson will be happy to conduct a special edition of Newsfile for you today, even though it is Sunday.
Felix Ofosu-Kwakye, Government Spokesperson, you dey? Please come and educate us on the intricacies of Sedina’s extradition and the timeframe it would entail.
Most importantly, where is our Ambassador Victor Smith, the man who from his faraway base in Washington DC did a media tour via Ghanaian tv and radio stations providing details about Ken Ofori-Atta’s ICE detention living conditions and even offering details on the “student mattress” Ofori-Atta was presumably sleeping on.
Does any one remember how he milked the offer of a visit to see Ken in detention, that was turned down? Excellency, I am sure Sedina accepted your kind offer to visit her in detention. What were the conditions she had to endure? Were you able to help her with the type of bedding she is accustomed to?
H.E. please furnish us with details of Sedina’s upcoming trip to Accra, Will the Presidential Brother’s jet be picking her up? What type of red carpet welcome is the Mahama government planning?
Dear NPP, the Bible says rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. In the spirit of unity with the NDC, please make elaborate plans to give Sedina “25 counts of stealing” Attionu a rousing welcome when she arrives at Accra Airport.
Flags, bells, whistles, vuvuzelas, brass band music, please pull out all stops….an NDC thief and convicted felon is coming home. Please make her feel truly welcome. Thank you!
G.A. Agbesinyale
(Political Activist, Human Rights Advocate, Citizenship Rights Promoter, Social Justice Warrior)
