Former MASLOC CEO, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu
A U.S. court has cleared the way for Christine Sedina Tamakloe, former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), to be extradited to Ghana to serve a 10-year jail sentence imposed by an Accra High Court.
“Therefore, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. $ 3184, the above findings, the Court certifies the extradition of Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu aka Sedina Sharon Christine Acolaste to Ghana on the 25 counts of Stealing in violation of $ 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
“9 counts of Conspiracy to Steal in violation of 23(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); 20 counts of Willfully Causing Financial Loss to the State in violation of $ 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); 11 counts of Conspiracy to Willfully Cause Financial Loss to the State in violation of 23(1) and 179A(3)(a) of the Criminak Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);
“3 counts of Causing Loss to Public Property in violation of $ 2 of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140); and 4 counts of Money Laundering in D violation of $ 1(1)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2008 (Act 749) and commits Attionu to the custody of the United States Marshal pending further decision on extradition and surrender by the Secretary of State pursuant to 18 U.S.C. $ 3186,” the order of Judge Albregts read in part.
Until a final determination is made by the U.S. Secretary of State, the court ordered that she remain in custody.
According to Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S., Victor Emmanuel Smith, Tamakloe Attionu was arrested by U.S. Marshals on January 6, 2026, and has since been held in Nevada. Her arrest followed a formal extradition request submitted by Ghana in mid-2024.
The former MASLOC boss had earlier been convicted in absentia after failing to return to Ghana following medical travel to the United States in 2021. On April 16, 2024, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour.
She and her co-accused, Daniel Axim, were found guilty on 78 charges, including stealing, conspiracy, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, and causing loss to public property.
Prosecutors alleged that the offences involved millions of Ghana cedis in losses, unauthorised financial commitments, and breaches of procurement regulations during their tenure at MASLOC.
SOURCE: Newscenta