The Minority in Parliament is alleging that former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu’s jail term was delayed by the government by 15 days.

They have cited contempt of court as the CEO was to have begun serving her sentence right when he touched down in Ghana following her extradition from the USA on June 9.

Addressing a press conference in Parliament, a member of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, disputed claims that she was placed in custody immediately upon her return.

“We can categorically state that until yesterday, June 24, Madam Sedina Tamakloe was not in prison custody. From June 9, when she arrived, to June 24, she was not in prison custody. That is a matter of record,” Mr Awuah stated.

The Minority described the delay as interference with a lawful court order.

“By preventing her from serving the prison term for the 15 days that she has been in Ghana, the government has interfered with a lawful order of a court of competent jurisdiction, and that is contempt of court. The government will only do that because Madam Sedina Tamakloe is one of its own, and that has been the trend,” he said.

He also alleged that Madam Tamakloe has been assured that efforts will be made to avert her sentence.

“She is in prison custody now. She was admitted yesterday, and she has been given assurances. Another assurance she has been given is that they are going to work around the clock to have the decision overturned,” he claimed.

Madam Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted in absentia in 2024 on charges including causing financial loss to the state and conspiracy. She was extradited to Ghana earlier this month to begin serving her sentence.

Background

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.