More than 1,100 women 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 urgently release former Sedina Tamakloe Attionu from Nsawam Prison.
The former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) was acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal on July 30 this year, overturning a 10-year jail sentence pronounced by the High Court in April 2024.
The petition, dated August 3, 2026, comes a week after the Court of Appeal’s unanimous decision, yet she remains in custody.
Why she remains in custody
The petitioners said they were taken aback when the Attorney-General announced on television that he would apply for a stay of execution and file an appeal 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.
The petitioners said they had consulted lawyers and learned that seeking a stay of execution after a criminal acquittal was “very irregular” in Ghana’s judicial system.
“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 new Court of Appeal panel was constituted to hear the Attorney-General’s application for a stay of execution.
After hearing arguments, the panel announced it was unable to reach a decision and would apply to the Chief Justice for permission to sit during the legal vacation.
The Chief Justice has since granted permission, and the application is scheduled to be heard on August 16.
Volta youth group adds voice
The grassroots momentum appears to be building, as a second petition has now surfaced from the Volta Youth Alliance. In a statement, the group condemned what it described as the injustice perpetrated against Ms Attionu and called for her immediate release.
The youth group contended that she should not remain in custody, insisting the ruling of the appellate court should be upheld unless a competent court determines otherwise.
“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 statement read.
AG’s position
The Attorney-General has defended his decision, stating he remained convinced the High Court’s conviction had merit.
According to his office, the former MASLOC CEO could leave the country before the Supreme Court determined the state’s intended appeal.
Petitioners’ plea
The women traders and organisers appealed to the Attorney-General’s “sense of fairness and integrity”, urging him not to sacrifice the rights of a person to please the mob.
“When Ms Attionu was convicted in 2024, was there pressure from the NDC? No!” the petition states.
“That should tell you that we abide by the rule of law.”
Meanwhile, Ms Attionu remains in custody at Nsawam, pending the determination of the stay of execution application on August 16.
