More than 1,100 women, including traders, market women, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) women organisers in the Greater Accra Region, have formally petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine. Their petition urges the facilitation of the release of Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), from Nsawam Prison.
This significant appeal follows a pivotal decision by the Court of Appeal on July 30, 2026, which acquitted and discharged Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu. This ruling effectively overturned a 10-year prison sentence that had been imposed on her by the High Court in April 2024. The petitioners, in their submission dated August 3, expressed deep concern that despite the appellate court's clear decision, the former MASLOC CEO remains in custody.
The ongoing legal dispute and Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu's continued detention highlight broader questions about judicial processes and the rule of law in Ghana. This situation could influence public confidence in the justice system, particularly concerning high-profile cases involving political figures. The Attorney-General's decision to challenge an acquittal at the Supreme Court, while legally permissible, has drawn scrutiny from various groups and legal experts. This case adds to a series of legal battles that often capture national attention, reflecting the intricate relationship between politics and the judiciary in Ghana.
The petitioners specifically questioned the Attorney-General’s announcement regarding the state's intention to seek a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal’s decision and to appeal the acquittal at the Supreme Court. They stated that a stay of execution would mean Ms. Attionu remains at Nsawam Prison until the Supreme Court decides the appeal, potentially for one, two, or even three years. Consultations with lawyers led the petitioners to believe that seeking a stay of execution following an acquittal in a criminal case is "very irregular."
On July 31, a different Court of Appeal panel heard the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution but could not determine the matter. The panel subsequently sought and received permission from the Chief Justice to sit during the legal vacation. The application is now scheduled to be heard on August 16. Meanwhile, the Volta Youth Alliance has also joined the calls for Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu’s release. The group condemned what it described as an injustice against the former MASLOC CEO, arguing that the Court of Appeal's decision should take effect unless a competent court rules otherwise. They emphasised that justice must always be fair, impartial, and rooted in the Constitution to preserve public confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
The Attorney-General has defended the decision to challenge the Court of Appeal ruling, maintaining that the High Court’s conviction had merit. His office has also raised concerns that Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu could leave the country before the Supreme Court determines the state’s intended appeal. The women petitioners, however, appealed to Dr. Ayine’s "sense of fairness and integrity," urging him to allow the judicial process to proceed without what they consider an unnecessary restriction on Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu’s liberty. They highlighted that when Ms. Attionu was convicted in 2024, there was no pressure from the NDC, indicating their respect for the rule of law. Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu remains in custody pending the determination of the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution, with the outcome of the August 16 hearing being a critical next step.