Sedina Tamakloe
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, has been extradited from the United States to Ghana following her conviction on more than 70 corruption-related charges, including the embezzlement of over $6 million in public funds.
The extradition marks the first transfer of a fugitive from the United States to Ghana since 2009 and highlights the growing law enforcement cooperation between the two countries.
Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu’s extradition follows a request submitted by the Government of Ghana to US authorities in July 2024. Acting on the request, US Marshals arrested her and placed her in custody at the Southern Nevada Detention Center pending extradition proceedings.
Earlier, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, confirmed her detention by US authorities as part of efforts to facilitate her return to Ghana.
Background
An Accra High Court in April 2024 sentenced the former chief executive officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu to 10-years years in jail with hard labour.
Daniel Axim, a former chief operating officer of MASLOC has also been sentenced to 5-years in jail with hard labour.
The two were found guilty on 78 counts of causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and causing loss to public property in contravention of public procurement law.
They have been on trial since 2019.
On February 24, 2023, the court granted an application by the prosecution to conduct the trial in the absence of Attionu, after the court allowed her to go to the United States in 2021 for medical attention but she has since not returned.
Background
Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu (the first accused) and Daniel Axim (the second accused, a former operations manager of MASLOC) face court charges relating to accusations of stealing and causing financial loss to the state to the tune of GHC93 million, among other offences.
Together, the two accused face 78 charges, including conspiracy to steal, stealing, unauthorised commitment resulting in a financial obligation for the government, improper payment, money laundering and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
The two accused allegedly stole GHC3,198,280 in total while at MASLOC and wilfully caused financial loss worth GHC1,973,780 to the state.
Also while in charge of MASLOC, Ms Tamakloe Attionu and her accomplice allegedly made unauthorised commitments resulting in financial obligations for the government to the tune of GHC61,735,832.50.
The further charges against the two include a loss of GHC22,158,118.85 to public property and improper payment of GHC273,743.66, as well as money laundering of GHC3,704,380, all while in charge of MASLOC.
