Court strikes down AG's attempt to block Sedina acquittal as she moves closer to freedom

In a significant development in the long-running criminal case involving former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer Christine Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the Court of Appeal has struck out the Attorney-General's application seeking to suspend her acquittal. The State formally withdrew the application on August 10 and informed the court of this withdrawal on Wednesday, August 12, effectively ending the proceedings before the appellate court.

The Attorney-General had previously requested that the court freeze the effect of Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu's acquittal pending a further appeal to the Supreme Court, citing concerns that she might leave Ghana if allowed immediate freedom. However, the State has now shifted its legal strategy, filing a fresh appeal directly at the Supreme Court following the withdrawal of the Court of Appeal application.

Defence raises procedural concerns

While the Attorney-General's withdrawal technically ends the Court of Appeal proceedings, it has sparked criticism from Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu's legal team regarding the manner in which it was conducted. The defence counsel, Sidney Antonio, expressed concerns that the State should have sought the court's formal permission to withdraw the application rather than simply filing a notice of withdrawal.

Mr Antonio pointed out that Wednesday had been specifically designated by the court for delivering its ruling on the application, and the defence was only served with the notice of withdrawal the previous day. "The proper thing should have been for the Attorney-General to have sought leave of the court before going ahead and withdraw because today's business was for delivering of ruling and that should have gone on today," he stated.

When questioned about reports that a similar application had been filed at the Supreme Court, Mr Antonio confirmed that the defence had not yet been formally served with any such motion, though they were aware of its existence through media reports.

Background to the case and its significance for Ghana

Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu's case has been a closely watched legal matter in Ghana, reflecting broader concerns about corruption in public institutions and the proper functioning of the judicial system. In April 2024, she was convicted by the Accra High Court on 78 counts, including stealing, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering. She was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour.

The case is particularly significant because MASLOC is a state-owned institution tasked with providing microfinance support to small and medium enterprises. Any conviction involving its leadership attracts considerable public and institutional attention given the organisation's mandate to support Ghana's business sector.

In July 2026, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's conviction and acquitted and discharged Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu entirely, concluding that the prosecution had failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt. This appellate decision represented a substantial reversal of the lower court's judgment and raised important questions about the strength of the State's evidence.

The Attorney-General's subsequent attempts to stay the acquittal and pursue further appeals underscore the State's determination to challenge the appellate court's decision. However, the procedural complexities and strategic shifts in how the case is being pursued—first at the Court of Appeal and now at the Supreme Court—highlight the intricate nature of Ghana's appellate system and the various legal avenues available to prosecutors.

For Ghana's legal community and citizens invested in judicial accountability, this case demonstrates both the rigour of appellate review and the importance of proper procedural adherence by state institutions. The outcome will likely have implications for how similar high-profile cases involving public officials are handled going forward.