Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, former CEO of MASLOC
The legal troubles of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, began with investigations into alleged financial irregularities during her tenure at the state-owned microfinance institution between 2013 and 2016.
What started as a corruption probe eventually evolved into one of Ghana's high-profile public sector corruption cases, culminating in a 10-year prison sentence, an international extradition process, and her eventual return to Ghana from the United States in June 2026.
According to court records and reports from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), investigators uncovered multiple schemes through which public funds were allegedly misappropriated while Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu served as MASLOC's head.
She was accused of embezzling GH¢3.19 million during her tenure at MASLOC and causing a deliberate financial loss of GH¢1.97 million to the state.
She was also accused of making unauthorised commitments resulting in financial obligations totalling GH¢61.74 million for the government.
Criminal charges and trial
Tamakloe-Attionu was arraigned before the Financial Division of the High Court in Accra on dozens of charges, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the state, causing loss to public property, money laundering, unauthorised commitments and breaches of procurement laws.
According to a graphic.com.gh report, she sought permission from the court in 2019 to travel abroad for a medical check-up but did not return to continue with her trial.
Her former colleague, Daniel Axim, who served as MASLOC's Chief Operating Officer, was named a co-accused.
The prosecution alleged that the two officials' activities resulted in significant losses to the state.
Court documents reveal that the case involved stolen funds, unauthorised financial commitments and other transactions that collectively caused substantial financial loss to the government.
Departure from Ghana
A major turning point in the case occurred when the High Court granted Tamakloe-Attionu permission to travel to the United States for medical treatment. However, she failed to return to Ghana to continue standing trial.
Her absence prompted prosecutors to seek permission to proceed with the case. In February 2023, the court granted that request, allowing the trial to continue in absentia.
Conviction and sentencing
On April 16, 2024, the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, convicted Tamakloe-Attionu in absentia and sentenced her to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour. Her co-accused, Daniel Axim, received a five-year prison sentence.
The court found her guilty on numerous counts, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, causing loss to public property and money laundering. The offences were linked to activities undertaken during her tenure as MASLOC's CEO between 2013 and 2016.
Extradition battle
Following her conviction, the Government of Ghana initiated efforts to secure her return from the United States. An extradition request was submitted to U.S. authorities, leading to her arrest by the U.S. Marshals Service in Nevada in January 2026.
In April 2026, a U.S. District Court certified her extradition after ruling that the extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States remained valid and that there was sufficient evidence to support Ghana's request.
The court further determined that the offences cited were recognised under the laws of both countries.
Return to Ghana
On June 9, 2026, Tamakloe-Attionu arrived in Ghana after being extradited from the United States, marking the first extradition from the U.S. to Ghana since 2009.
Upon arrival, she was taken into custody by Ghanaian security authorities to begin serving her prison sentence.
Ongoing legal challenge
Despite her conviction and extradition, the legal battle is not entirely over. Her lawyers have filed an appeal challenging both the conviction and the legal basis of some of the charges.
The defence argues that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that parts of the charge sheet were defective. The Court of Appeal is expected to determine those arguments in the next phase of the case.
The Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu case remains one of the most significant corruption prosecutions involving a former head of a state institution in Ghana, attracting attention from anti-corruption advocates, legal experts and international law enforcement agencies alike.
ANAS/VPO
ITAS Rollout: GRA to link 15 government agencies to improve tax compliance
Copyright © 1994 - 2026 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
