The Attorney-General has withdrawn a motion seeking to halt the release of former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in July this year quashed her conviction and 10-year sentence on 78 corruption-related charges.
The court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ankamah, with Justices Samuel Obeng-Diawuo and Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe concurring, held that the trial judge had repeatedly shifted the burden of proof onto the appellant, contrary to the constitutional presumption of innocence.
It added that the prosecution had failed to prove several of the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
A few hours after the judgment, the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court, stating that it was dissatisfied with the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge the respondent.
Alongside the notice of appeal, the Attorney-General also filed a motion for stay of execution pending appeal, praying the Court of Appeal to stay execution of its judgment acquitting and discharging Ms Tamakloe-Attionu until the Supreme Court determines the appeal.
However, the motion for stay of execution was withdrawn this morning by Principal State Attorney, Hilda Craig.
The prosecution has instead filed the motion at the Supreme Court.
The motion was subsequently struck out as withdrawn .
Credit: Graphic Online
