Former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, has regained her freedom after the State abandoned its attempt to keep her in custody while pursuing a further appeal.
The development followed the withdrawal of an application filed by the Attorney-General seeking a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal’s decision that overturned Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu’s conviction and 10-year prison sentence.
The Court of Appeal on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, formally struck out the application after the State notified the court that it no longer intended to pursue the request.
The notice of withdrawal was filed on August 10. During Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for the Republic, Hilda Craig, led by Winifred Sarpong, confirmed the State’s decision before the panel.
With the application withdrawn, there was no longer a legal request before the Court of Appeal seeking to suspend the effect of its earlier judgment, which acquitted and discharged Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu.
The Attorney-General had initially gone to the Court of Appeal after the acquittal, asking the court to preserve the status quo while the State prepared to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.
That application was heard on July 31, 2026, after which the court reserved its ruling.
At Wednesday’s hearing, however, lawyers for Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu raised concerns about the manner in which the withdrawal was effected.
Her counsel, Sidney Antonio, acknowledged receipt of the State’s notice but argued that the Attorney-General ought to have obtained the court’s permission before withdrawing the application.
The court took note of the argument but observed that there was no objection from the respondent to the withdrawal.
It consequently struck out the application as withdrawn, effectively removing the State’s request for a stay from the Court of Appeal’s docket.
The ruling clears the immediate legal path for Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu to remain free following the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn her conviction.
The State, however, has not abandoned the broader challenge to that judgment.
The Attorney-General has already lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision that acquitted and discharged the former MASLOC boss.
The Supreme Court will therefore have the final say on the State’s challenge as the legal battle over the case continues.
