The Court of Appeal has formally struck out an application brought 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 formally notified the court on Wednesday, August 12, 2024, that it had filed a notice of withdrawal, effectively bringing the application before the Court of Appeal to an end. This action follows the withdrawal of a previous application by the Attorney-General, which had been initially filed on August 10, 2024, and subsequently transferred to the Supreme Court.
The State’s appeal process is now underway at the Supreme Court following the withdrawal of the earlier application. The Attorney-General had earlier requested the court to suspend the effect of the acquittal pending a further appeal.
Lawyers for former MASLOC CEO, Sidney Antonio, expressed concern that the Attorney-General’s withdrawal procedure could create an opportunity for Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu to potentially leave the jurisdiction, potentially hindering the pursuit of the appeal.
Speaking to the media after the proceedings, counsel for Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu, Sidney Antonio, stated that the defence believed the proper procedure should have been for the Attorney-General to seek leave of the court before withdrawing the application, particularly given the court’s scheduled ruling on the application occurred on Wednesday. Antonio further emphasized that the withdrawal process should have been carried out today to deliver the ruling.
This 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.
The appellate court’s decision established that Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu had been convicted by the High Court on 78 counts, including theft, financial loss to the state, and money laundering, and sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
The Attorney-General subsequently sought to stay the effect of the acquittal while pursuing a further appeal.
The Court of Appeal’s decision has significant implications for the legal landscape, particularly concerning the prosecution of individuals accused of financial crimes and the right to appeal within the justice system. The decision underscores the importance of procedural safeguards and the established rules governing legal proceedings.
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Source: MyJoyOnline
