US court orders Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu’s extradition to Ghana
A United States District Court in Nevada has certified the extradition of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, to Ghana to serve her 10-year sentence.
The court ruled that it has jurisdiction over the extradition case and over the accused person, and confirmed that the extradition treaty between the United States and Ghana remains valid and enforceable.
It further established that the individual presented before the court is the same person sought by Ghanaian authorities, and that all documents submitted by Ghana in support of the request were properly certified.
The court also found that there is probable cause to believe Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu committed the offences for which Ghana is seeking her extradition.
In its conclusion, the court certified her extradition to Ghana and ordered that she be committed into the custody of the United States Marshals Service, pending a final decision by the U.S. Secretary of State on her surrender.
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, was previously convicted in Ghana in April 2024 and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour on multiple charges including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy, money laundering, and procurement breaches.
She fled Ghana before the conclusion of her trial while on permission to travel abroad for medical reasons, according to court records.
Her extradition marks a key step in efforts by Ghanaian authorities to enforce the judgment and bring her back to serve her sentence.
The case continues to draw public attention as part of broader efforts to recover state resources lost through alleged financial misconduct at MASLOC.
Background
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was in April 2024, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.
Her co-accused, former MASLOC Chief Operating Officer Daniel Axim, was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
The two were prosecuted for offences committed between 2013 and 2016, involving the misappropriation of funds meant for MASLOC activities. The trial, which began in 2019, saw the state call six witnesses.
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was tried in absentia after she absconded while on permission from the court to seek medical treatment abroad. Daniel Axim, however, testified in person but did not call any witnesses.
Among the offences established by the court was the withdrawal of GH¢500,000 as a loan to Obaatampa Savings and Loans Company, which the convicts later demanded to be refunded after the institution declined to agree to a 24 percent interest rate. Although evidence showed the amount was refunded, it was not reflected in the accounts of MASLOC.
The court also found that over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a sensitisation exercise was misappropriated. MASLOC was expected to pay GH¢20 each to 85,300 beneficiaries, but only GH¢1,300 was used for the intended purpose.
Additionally, only GH¢579,800 out of GH¢1.4 million meant for victims of the Kantamanso inferno was disbursed, with the remainder unlawfully appropriated.
The case further involved inflated procurement costs for vehicles and Samsung mobile phones, with evidence indicating that the amounts paid exceeded prevailing market prices, despite the items being purchased in bulk.
