The United States has confirmed the extradition of the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu.

In a Facebook post, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Fosu, indicated that Sedinam has returned to Ghana from the USA, two years and two months after the Accra High Court sentenced her to 10 years in prison for over 70 corruption-related charges. The charges include the alleged embezzlement of more than $6 million in public funds.

He noted that she arrived at the Accra International Airport at approximately 7:18 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, aboard United Airlines flight UA 996 from Washington Dulles International Airport in the United States.

"In April, 2024, the High Court convicted and sentenced SEDINA TAMAKLOE-ATTIONU in absentia. In July 2024, the Government of Ghana submitted an extradition request to the United States for her surrender to Ghana to serve her sentence.  After over two years of court proceedings, the United States authorities notified the Government of her surrender in January this year. She arrived in Accra on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

"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. Meanwhile, the Attorney-General is scheduled to meet his counterparts at the United States Department of Justice for a bilateral discussion on all pending extradition requests between the two countries", Kwakye Fosu said in the post.

The U.S Embassy in Ghana confirmed the extradition in a Facebook post.

“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 partnership in action, demonstrating a shared commitment to accountability and the first extradition from the United States to Ghana since 2009”, the US Embassy indicated.

Upon her arrival, she was received by security personnel and immediately taken into custody for debriefing and medical examinations as part of standard procedures before being transferred to begin serving her sentence.

Her return follows a protracted extradition process initiated by the Government of Ghana after she failed to return to the country following a medical trip to the United States.

Meanwhile, Sedinam’s deputy was tried alongside his boss but received a lighter sentence of 5 years with main charges tied to conspiracy and abetting, thus aiding his boss to conduct fraudulent schemes.

Background

How it started

In 2017, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) launched an investigation into MASLOC’s operations under Sedina Tamakloe Attionu’s leadership during her three-year tenure at the Centre. Following the investigations, EOCo discovered massive financial irregularities and embezzlement by the MASLOC bosses.

Findings

EOCO found fraudulent disbursements of MASLOC funds. Inflated procurement of vehicles and mobile phones without approval from the Public Procurement Authority. misappropriation of funds meant for victims of the 2013 Kantamanto Market fire and questionable ex-gratia payments to herself and her deputy.

Consequently, in January 2019, she was formally arraigned before the High Court on 78 counts, including stealing, conspiracy, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, and procurement breaches.

After two years of legal tussle, she requested permission to travel to the USA to seek medical care, which was granted; however, she failed to return to Ghana to continue participating in the proceedings, hence she was tried in absentia.

In 2024, the Accra High Court sentenced Attionu in absentia to 10 years’ imprisonment after finding her guilty of multiple offences, including causing financial loss to the state and stealing. The court held that her actions during her tenure as MASLOC Chief Executive between 2013 and 2016 resulted in a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million to the state.

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

A United States District Court in Nevada subsequently considered the extradition request and, after reviewing the application and supporting legal documentation submitted by Ghanaian authorities, certified the request, paving the way for her return to Ghana.

Officials have yet to indicate whether any additional legal proceedings will arise following her return. However, her extradition and transfer to prison are expected to bring closure to a case that has remained in the public spotlight for several years.

Meanwhile, the Ghanaian government was making arrangements to bring her to serve her sentence, but it appeared a bit challenging. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that the United States government has given its word to Ghana that it will not impede the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta and former MASLOC boss Sedina Tamakloe Attionu.

Mr Ablakwa disclosed after a bilateral meeting held on January 13 in Accra with the acting USA Ambassador to Ghana, Rolf Olson and his entourage.

“The United States Government has assured that, without prejudice to judicial processes, it will not stand in the way of Ghana as regards the removal of Ken Ofori‑Atta and Sedina Tamakloe Attionu,” he said.

Currently, one of the former government officials whose extradition many await is Ken Ofori-Atta.