Former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu has been released from prison after the State withdrew its application seeking to suspend the Court of Appeal’s decision acquitting her.
The Court of Appeal on Wednesday struck out the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution after lawyers for the Republic confirmed that the application had been formally withdrawn.
The notice of withdrawal was filed on August 10, and counsel for the State, Hilda Craig, led by Winifred Sarpong, informed the court of the decision.
The withdrawal effectively removed the legal barrier that had kept Madam Tamakloe-Attionu in custody despite the Court of Appeal’s earlier ruling overturning her conviction and 10-year prison sentence.
The Attorney-General had sought the stay of execution after the appellate court acquitted and discharged the former MASLOC boss, arguing that the order was necessary to preserve the effect of the judgment while the State pursued a further appeal before the Supreme Court.
The application had been argued on July 31, with the Court of Appeal reserving its decision.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for Madam Tamakloe-Attionu, Sidney Antonio, told the court that although he had received the State’s notice of withdrawal, the Attorney-General should have sought the court’s permission before discontinuing the application.
The court acknowledged the procedural issue but noted that the respondent did not oppose the withdrawal. It subsequently struck out the application.
Although Madam Tamakloe-Attionu has now regained her freedom, the legal battle is not over.
The Attorney-General has already lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision that acquitted and discharged her, meaning the substantive appeal remains pending despite the withdrawal of the stay application.
