NewzThe Court of Appeal has adjourned indefinitely without delivering a ruling on the State’s application for a stay of execution in the appeal involving former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu. The three-member panel, comprising Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah, who presided, Justice Dr Ernest Owusu-Dapaa and Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh, heard arguments from both parties before retiring to consider its decision. After approximately two hours, the judges returned to the courtroom and informed the parties that they had been unable to reach a decision on the application.
The court consequently adjourned the matter indefinitely, without indicating when it would reconvene to deliver its ruling. The State is seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the substantive appeal in the high-profile corruption case involving the former MASLOC boss. The application is part of ongoing appellate proceedings following developments in the case, which has attracted significant public attention.
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted in absentia by the Accra High Court in April 2024 and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty on multiple corruption-related charges, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing and money laundering. She was extradited from the United States to Ghana in June this year to begin serving her sentence after a prolonged legal process. The Court of Appeal’s inability to reach a unanimous decision means the State’s application remains unresolved, leaving the next step in the appellate process pending until the court reconvenes.
Founder and President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has reacted to the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, raising concerns about what he described as the implications for Ghana’s fight against corruption. In a Facebook post, Mr Cudjoe argued that the judgment could send the wrong signal by suggesting that public officials accused of wrongdoing may escape accountability if their political party returns to power. He questioned the broader implications of the ruling, suggesting that it could weaken public confidence in efforts to hold public officials accountable.
READ ALSO: Court of Appeal acquits, discharges ex-MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu “You can steal, you can dupe the state, run away, get extradited back to your country and when your party is in power, you will be free. On that note, Ken Ofori-Atta toa so. Live free, Live forever,” he wrote.
His reference to former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta comes at a time when the former minister remains under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over a number of high-profile matters. Cudjoe’s comments appeared to suggest that the Court of Appeal’s decision could have broader implications for accountability in other ongoing cases. The IMANI President further criticised the outcome of the case, describing it as a setback in the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
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