More than 1,100 women, including traders, market women and National Democratic Congress (NDC) women organisers in the Greater Accra Region, have petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, to facilitate the release of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, from Nsawam Prison.

Their petition follows the Court of Appeal’s July 30, 2026 decision acquitting and discharging Ms Tamakloe-Attionu, overturning the 10-year prison sentence imposed on her by the High Court in April 2024.

The petition, dated August 3, expressed concern that despite the appellate court’s decision, the former MASLOC CEO remains in custody.

Petitioners question continued detention

The petitioners said they were concerned by the Attorney-General’s announcement that the state intended to seek a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal’s decision and appeal the acquittal at the Supreme Court.

“A stay of execution means that Ms Attionu will stay at Nsawam until the Supreme Court decides the appeal, whether in a year, two years or three years,” the petition stated.

According to the petitioners, consultations with lawyers had led them to believe that seeking a stay of execution following an acquittal in a criminal case was “very irregular”.

“In our humble view, you can go to the Supreme Court for their interpretation or their perspective on the case, but why would you try to keep Ms Attionu at Nsawam Prison for the duration of the upcoming appeal when the Court of Appeal has declared her innocent?” they asked.

On Friday, July 31, a differently constituted Court of Appeal panel heard the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution but was unable to determine the matter.

The panel subsequently sought permission from the Chief Justice to sit during the legal vacation. Permission has since been granted, with the application scheduled to be heard on August 16.

Volta youth group joins calls

Meanwhile, the Volta Youth Alliance has also joined calls for Ms Tamakloe-Attionu’s release.

In a statement, the group condemned what it described as an injustice against the former MASLOC CEO and argued that the decision of the Court of Appeal should take effect unless otherwise determined by a competent court.

“Justice must always be fair, impartial and rooted in the Constitution. That is the surest way to preserve public confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions,” the group said.

Attorney-General defends appeal

The Attorney-General has, however, 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 nevertheless 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.

“When Ms Attionu was convicted in 2024, was there pressure from the NDC? No!” the petition stated.

“That should tell you that we abide by the rule of law.”

Ms Tamakloe-Attionu remains in custody pending the determination of the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution.