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, paving the way for her return to Ghana to serve a 10-year prison sentence for multiple financial crimes.
The court ruled that it has jurisdiction over both the extradition proceedings and the accused person, and affirmed 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 indeed the same person sought by Ghanaian authorities, and confirmed that all supporting documents submitted by Ghana were properly certified and compliant with legal requirements.
Crucially, the Nevada court also found that there is probable cause to believe that Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu committed the offences for which she was convicted in Ghana.
In its ruling, the court certified her extradition and ordered that she be remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service, pending a final determination by the U.S. Secretary of State on her surrender to Ghanaian authorities.
Conviction in Ghana and flight abroad
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was 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 breaches of procurement laws.
She fled the country before the conclusion of her trial while on permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, according to court records, leading to efforts by Ghanaian authorities to secure her extradition.
Her co-accused, former MASLOC Chief Operating Officer Daniel Axim, was also convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
The extradition ruling is seen as a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to enforce the judgment and ensure accountability in one of the country’s high-profile corruption-related cases.
Background to MASLOC trial
The case, which dates back to offences allegedly committed between 2013 and 2016, involved the misapplication of funds intended for MASLOC programmes supporting small businesses and vulnerable groups.
The trial, which began in 2019, saw the prosecution call six witnesses.
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was tried in absentia after she absconded while on medical travel permission, while her co-accused appeared in court but called no witnesses in his defence.
Among the key findings was the withdrawal of GH¢500,000 as a loan to Obaatampa Savings and Loans Company, which was later demanded back after the institution declined a proposed 24 percent interest rate.
Although evidence showed the funds were refunded, the repayment was not properly reflected in MASLOC’s accounts.
The court also found that over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a nationwide sensitisation exercise was misused, with only GH¢1,300 applied to the intended purpose despite payments structured for tens of thousands of beneficiaries.
Additionally, only GH¢579,800 out of GH¢1.4 million earmarked for victims of the Kantamanso inferno was disbursed, with the remainder allegedly misappropriated.
The case further exposed inflated procurement costs involving vehicles and mobile phones, with evidence showing that prices paid significantly exceeded prevailing market rates despite bulk purchasing arrangements.
Public interest and accountability
The extradition development has renewed public attention on the MASLOC scandal, which has become emblematic of broader concerns over financial accountability in public institutions.
Ghanaian authorities are expected to take steps to ensure her transfer following the final approval of the U.S. Secretary of State, bringing the long-running case closer to full enforcement of the court’s judgment.
