The Court of Appeal has struck down the Attorney-General's bid to halt Christine Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu's freedom. The former MASLOC CEO had been acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal in July 2026.
Court of Appeal Rejects AG's Bid
The Court of Appeal has struck out as withdrawn an application by the Attorney-General seeking to stay the execution of its decision acquitting and discharging former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Christine Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu. The State informed the court on Wednesday, August 12, that it had filed a notice of withdrawal on August 10, effectively bringing the application before the Court of Appeal to an end.
Withdrawal Sparks Concerns
Lawyers for the former MASLOC CEO, however, raised concerns about the manner in which the application was withdrawn. They argued that the Attorney-General should have sought the court's permission before filing the notice of withdrawal, particularly because Wednesday had already been fixed for the court to deliver its ruling on the application. Counsel for Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu, Sidney Antonio, said the defence believed the proper procedure was for the Attorney-General to seek leave of the court before withdrawing the application.
Appeal Process Continues
The State has filed the appeal process at the Supreme Court following the withdrawal of the earlier application. The Attorney-General had earlier asked the court to suspend the effect of the acquittal pending the determination of a further appeal. The State argued that allowing the acquittal to take immediate effect could create an opportunity for Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu to leave the jurisdiction, potentially making it difficult to pursue the appeal.
Background to the Case
The development follows the Court of Appeal's decision in July 2026 to overturn the 10-year prison sentence imposed on Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu by the Accra High Court in April 2024. The appellate court acquitted and discharged her after concluding that the prosecution had failed to prove its case. Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu had been convicted by the High Court on 78 counts, including stealing, causing financial loss to the state and money laundering, and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court will now consider the appeal filed by the Attorney-General. The defence has not been formally served with any such application, according to counsel for Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu, Sidney Antonio. The development marks a significant milestone in the case, as Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu's freedom remains a subject of intense public interest.
Source: Joy Online
