A United States court has approved the extradition of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre Chief Executive, Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu, to Ghana, paving the way for her to serve a 10-year prison sentence handed down in 2024.
The U.S. District Court in Nevada ruled that it has jurisdiction over the case and confirmed that the extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States remains valid.
The court further determined that the individual before it is the same person being sought by Ghanaian authorities and that all supporting documents submitted were properly certified.
In its ruling, the court stated there is sufficient basis to believe she committed the offences for which Ghana is requesting her return. It therefore certified her extradition and ordered that she be held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, pending a final decision by the U.S. Secretary of State.
Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu was convicted in Ghana in April 2024 on multiple charges, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy, money laundering, and breaches of procurement laws. She was subsequently sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Court records indicate that she left Ghana before the conclusion of her trial after being granted permission to travel abroad for medical reasons and was later tried in absentia.
Background to the Case
The former MASLOC CEO was found guilty on 78 counts relating to offences committed between 2013 and 2016, involving the misappropriation of funds intended for MASLOC operations.
Her co-accused, Daniel Axim, a former Chief Operating Officer of MASLOC, was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
The trial, which began in 2019, involved testimony from six prosecution witnesses and uncovered several instances of financial irregularities.
Among them was a GH¢500,000 loan issued to Obaatampa Savings and Loans Company, which was later refunded but not properly reflected in MASLOC’s accounts.
Additionally, over GH¢1.7 million earmarked for a sensitisation exercise was found to have been misappropriated, with only a small portion used for its intended purpose.
The court also established that out of GH¢1.4 million allocated to victims of the Kantamanso market fire, only GH¢579,800 was disbursed, with the remainder unlawfully appropriated.
Further findings pointed to inflated procurement costs for vehicles and Samsung mobile phones, with payments exceeding prevailing market prices despite bulk purchases.
Next Steps
The extradition marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to enforce the court’s judgment and strengthen accountability in the management of public funds.
Final approval now rests with U.S. authorities, after which Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu is expected to be returned to Ghana to serve her sentence.
