The Court of Appeal is expected to seek special authorisation from the Chief Justice to sit during the legal vacation and deliver its decision on the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution in the case involving former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu.
The move follows proceedings on Friday, July 31, 2026 — the final day of the 2025/2026 legal year before the Superior Courts begin a two-month legal break.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, chaired by Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, heard arguments from both the Attorney-General’s office and Ms. Tamakloe Attionu’s lawyers but said it was still considering the matter.
The panel, which also included Justice Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa and Justice Aryittey Armah-Tetteh, subsequently adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely) to enable it to apply for a warrant from the Chief Justice to sit during the vacation and deliver its ruling.
The Court said a hearing notice would be issued to the parties if the approval is granted and a date is fixed.
The Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution was moved by Principal State Attorney Hilda Craig and opposed by lawyers for Ms. Tamakloe Attionu, led by Enoch Deegbe.
Why the AG wants a stay
The Attorney-General is challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision that acquitted and discharged Ms. Tamakloe Attionu on July 30, 2026.
In its application, the Republic argues that the judgment contains errors of law and fact and has resulted in a substantial miscarriage of justice.
The AG says the intended appeal to the Supreme Court raises serious and arguable legal issues with a likelihood of success.
The State is therefore asking the Court of Appeal to suspend the effect of the acquittal pending the determination of the appeal.
It also argues that without a stay, there is a possibility that Ms. Tamakloe Attionu could leave the jurisdiction, potentially frustrating the appeal process.
Background
Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, who served as CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) from 2013 to 2017, was convicted in 2024 by the High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe.
She was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after being found guilty in relation to 78 charges, including conspiracy to steal, stealing, causing financial loss to the State, money laundering and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.
She had travelled to the United States in 2021 for medical treatment with the permission of the court but did not return.
Following an extradition request by the Ghanaian government, she was brought back to Ghana on June 9, 2026, and taken to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
Her lawyers appealed the conviction, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that there were defects in the charge sheet.
On July 30, 2026, the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction, acquitted and discharged her — a decision the Attorney-General has now challenged at the Supreme Court.
Can the Court sit during legal vacation?
Yes.
Under Ghana’s legal system, judges of the Superior Courts — the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court — generally do not sit during the legal vacation unless authorised.
However, judges handling urgent or pending matters may apply to the Chief Justice for permission to continue proceedings during the vacation.
Such approval is issued through a warrant or fiat, provided under Order 79 of C.I. 47 and the Chief Justice’s administrative powers under Article 139(3) of the 1992 Constitution.
If granted, the Court of Appeal panel will be legally empowered to sit during the vacation and deliver its ruling on the Attorney-General’s stay application.
The decision will determine whether the acquittal of Sedina Tamakloe Attionu takes immediate effect or remains suspended pending the Supreme Court appeal.
By Peter Quao Adattor/paqmediagh
