Convicted Ex-MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu extradited from US to serve jail term

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, has been extradited from the United States to Ghana to begin serving a 10-year prison sentence following her conviction in a high-profile corruption case.

The announcement was made by the U.S. Embassy in Ghana on Tuesday, which described the extradition as evidence of the strong law enforcement partnership between Ghana and the United States and their shared commitment to accountability and the rule of law.

In a statement posted on its social media platforms, the Embassy said Attionu had been convicted on more than 70 criminal counts, including offences linked to the embezzlement of more than US$6 million in Ghanaian taxpayer funds.

“Officials of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service have taken her into custody and are making the necessary preparations for her to begin her sentence,” the statement said.

Attionu's return marks the culmination of a lengthy legal and diplomatic process that began after she failed to return to Ghana following a medical trip to the United States.

In 2024, an Accra High Court convicted her in absentia on multiple charges, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy and wilfully causing financial loss. She was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment.

The court found that her actions while serving as MASLOC Chief Executive between 2013 and 2016 resulted in a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million to the state.

Following the conviction, Ghanaian authorities intensified efforts to secure her return and formally sought her extradition from the United States in 2025.

The request was subsequently reviewed by a U.S. District Court in Nevada, which certified the extradition after examining evidence and legal documents submitted by the Government of Ghana.

The decision cleared the way for her transfer to Ghanaian authorities to serve the sentence imposed by the court.

Meanwhile, Ghana's Attorney-General is expected to hold bilateral discussions with officials from the United States Department of Justice on outstanding extradition requests between the two countries.

The talks are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in criminal justice matters, addressing procedural challenges and improving mutual legal assistance mechanisms.

The extradition is being viewed as a significant development in Ghana's efforts to pursue individuals convicted of corruption-related offences and to recover public confidence in the enforcement of accountability measures.