Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu becomes first Ghanaian extradited from US since 2009

The United States Embassy in Ghana has announced the extradition of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, to Ghana, making her the first person to be extradited from the United States to Ghana since 2009.

In a statement posted on its official X account on June 9, 2026, the Embassy described the extradition as a demonstration of the strong law enforcement cooperation between Ghana and the United States in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.

“Justice has no borders. The United States has extradited Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu to Ghana, following her conviction on 70-plus corruption-related charges, including embezzling more than $6 million equivalent in Ghanaian taxpayer funds,” the Embassy stated.

It added that the development reflects the shared commitment of both countries to accountability and the rule of law.

“This is our strong US Ghana law enforcement partnership in action, demonstrating a shared commitment to accountability, and the first extradition from the United States to Ghana since 2009,” the statement noted.

Attionu arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at approximately 9:01 am through the Kotoka International Airport aboard United Airlines flight UA 996 from Washington Dulles International Airport.

Upon arrival, she was met by security officials and immediately taken into custody.

She is currently undergoing routine medical examinations and administrative processing before being transferred to begin serving her prison sentence.

Her extradition followed her arrest by US Marshals in Texas. She was subsequently detained at the Nevada Southern Detention Center while extradition proceedings were underway.

In April 2026, a United States District Court in Nevada, presided over by Magistrate Judge Daniel J Albregts, certified Ghana's request for her extradition after determining that sufficient legal grounds and probable cause existed in relation to her conviction.

The certification, issued under 18 U.S.C. § 3184, cleared the legal pathway for her transfer to Ghanaian authorities.

The case stems from a 2024 judgment by the Accra High Court, which convicted Attionu in absentia and sentenced her to 10 years' imprisonment for offences including stealing and causing financial loss to the state during her tenure as MASLOC Chief Executive Officer between 2013 and 2016.

She was found guilty on more than 70 corruption-related charges and accused of contributing to losses estimated at nearly GH¢90 million in public funds. The charges also included multiple counts of conspiracy and money laundering-related offences.

Justice has no borders. The United States has extradited Sedina Tamakloe Attionu to Ghana, following her conviction on 70+ corruption-related charges, including embezzling more than $6M equivalent in Ghanaian taxpayer funds. This is our strong U.S.-Ghana law enforcement…

— U.S. Embassy Accra (@USEmbassyGhana) June 9, 2026