Assafuah calls for accountability in Sedina Tamakloe case after US extradition ruling

The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has called for full accountability in the case involving former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu following a US court decision approving her extradition to Ghana.

A United States court in Nevada ruled that the legal requirements for extradition had been satisfied, including jurisdiction, treaty validity and probable cause, clearing the way for her return to Ghana.

Reacting to the ruling, Assafuah described it as a legal win for Ghana but said the handling of the case upon her return would be critical.

“This is a case that the Republic of Ghana has won,” he said in a Facebook post, noting that the offences cited, including stealing and causing financial loss to the state, meet legal thresholds under both Ghanaian and US law.

The court also relied on her earlier conviction in Ghana in establishing probable cause.

Assafuah questioned what he described as a muted reaction from government supporters.

“Why are they not jubilating?” he asked, suggesting inconsistency in how outcomes in high-profile cases are received.

He cautioned against any use of executive clemency under Article 72 of the Constitution, warning that it could undermine public confidence in the justice system.

“Any attempt to deploy it in a matter of this magnitude would amount to a direct assault on public confidence in the justice system,” he said.

He also raised concerns about developments involving her co-accused, Daniel Axim, who has been granted bail pending appeal, stating that such moves could weaken the case.

The extradition stems from allegations of financial misconduct at the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), where Tamakloe Attionu previously served as chief executive.

While the final decision on her surrender rests with the US Secretary of State, Assafuah said attention must now shift to Ghana.

“The court in the United States has done its part,” he said. “The real test now lies here at home.”

In April 2024, an Accra High Court sentenced Tamakloe Attionu to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Daniel Axim was also sentenced to five years.

Both were convicted on 78 counts, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering and causing loss to public property.

The trial proceeded in her absence after she failed to return to Ghana following a trip to the United States in 2021 for medical treatment.

The case involves alleged financial losses and irregularities amounting to millions of cedis during their time at MASLOC, including unauthorised financial commitments, improper payments and money laundering.