The Court of Appeal has struck out an application by the Attorney-General to suspend the acquittal of Christine Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu. Tamakloe-Attionu is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC). The State informed the court on Wednesday, August 12, that it had filed a notice of withdrawal on August 10, ending the application.
The Attorney-General had asked the court to delay the effect of the acquittal. This delay was requested pending a further appeal to a higher court. The State argued that allowing the acquittal to take immediate effect could let Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu leave the country. This would make it difficult to continue the appeal process.
This legal development fits into Ghana's ongoing efforts to combat financial crime and corruption. High-profile cases like this often draw significant public attention. They also highlight the complexities of the judicial system in handling economic offenses. The original conviction in April 2024 and subsequent acquittal in July 2026 show the lengthy legal processes involved.
Lawyers for Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu raised concerns about how the application was withdrawn. Sidney Antonio, counsel for Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu, stated that the Attorney-General should have sought the court’s permission. This was especially important because Wednesday was set for the court to deliver its ruling. Mr. Antonio said, "Today’s date was given by the court for the court to deliver its ruling, and we were just served yesterday with a notice of withdrawal. We believe 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."
The withdrawal means Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu's acquittal remains in effect. However, reports suggest the Attorney-General has filed a similar application at the Supreme Court. Mr. Antonio confirmed the defense had not been formally served with any such application. This indicates the legal battle may continue in a higher court, keeping the case in the public eye.
This development follows the Court of Appeal’s decision in July 2026. The appellate court overturned a 10-year prison sentence given to Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu. The Accra High Court had imposed this sentence in April 2024. The Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged her, finding that the prosecution did not prove its case. Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu had faced 78 charges, including stealing and causing financial loss to the state. The Attorney-General's subsequent move to stay the acquittal aimed to preserve the State's ability to pursue justice. Observers will now watch for any new filings at the Supreme Court and how the judiciary handles procedural concerns raised by the defense.