The Nevada Southern Detention Centre in the United States (U.S.) has reportedly detained the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu.

This was contained in a statement signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, dated Thursday, January 15, 2026.

“My information is that she was detained by US Marshals on January 6th and has since been kept at that detention centre. I am reliably informed that, acting on an extradition request sent to the US Authorities sometime in July 2024, US Marshals arrested Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu and placed her in detention to await her day in court," part of the statement read.

In 2024, an Accra High Court issued an arrest warrant for Sedina Christine Attionu Tamakloe. This action followed an ex-parte motion filed by State Prosecutors. Assistant State Attorney Yvonne Yaache-Adomako, who addressed the court on April 22, 2024, stated that Tamakloe was convicted on all 78 counts against her.

“I have before you a motion ex-parte for an arrest warrant to be issued for the arrest of the 2nd respondent convict (Sedina Tamakloe),” Ms. Yaache-Adomako said. She emphasized that sufficient grounds for the warrant had been demonstrated through facts and attached exhibits.

The court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, granted the motion as requested.

Madam Tamakloe was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Daniel Axim, the former Chief Operating Officer of MASLOC, received a 5-year sentence. Both were found guilty on charges including causing financial loss to the state, theft, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and contravening public procurement laws.

The convictions are linked to the misappropriation of funds allocated for MASLOC activities between 2013 and 2016. Notably, the accused withdrew GH₵500,000 as a loan from Obaatampa Savings and Loans company and demanded a refund when the company refused to offer a 24% interest rate.

Despite evidence of the refund, it was not reflected in MASLOC’s accounts. Additionally, the pair misappropriated over GH¢1.7 million intended for a sensitization exercise, with only a small portion used as planned. Funds designated for victims of a fire incident at Kantamanso were also misappropriated, and there were discrepancies in the purchase of vehicles and Samsung phones for MASLOC.

Madam Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was tried in absentia after absconding abroad under the pretext of a medical check-up. Daniel Axim testified in person but did not present any witnesses.The government successfully located the former CEO of MASLOC. Despite being sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor, Tamaklo fled abroad.

During that period, the government collaborated with partners in the United States to facilitate Tamaklo’s return to Ghana.

MASLOC is an apex body responsible for implementing the Government of Ghana’s microfinance programmes targeted at reducing poverty. It was established in 2006 to grant loans to start-ups and small businesses to help them grow and expand as part of its core functions.

Recently a collaboration between the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) and the National Security operatives have resulted in the seizure of three out of five government vehicles which were in possession of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

This information was disclosed by the Deputy Women Organizer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abigail Elorm Mensah who also doubles as the CEO of MASLOC on Wednesday, September 10.

Speaking to Citi News, the retrieval of vehicles from Wontumi is in line with a broader initiative to recover government loans and vehicles from defaulters.

She noted that Chairman Wontumi adds up to one of the many individuals who receive loans and vehicles from the institutions but have refused to fulfill the terms of the agreement.

According to the CEO of MASLOC, her outfit is working tirelessly to ensure Chairman Wontumi returns the two other government-owned cars.

“I have gone with National Security operatives to the house of the Chairman of the NPP in Ashanti Region, Chairman Wontumi. Three cars. In fact, the cars were five. We’ve retrieved three. I have collected all from his house. We are still chasing him for the two.

"He has to pay for them. What we do is that once I seize the cars, the agreement we have with you is that you would have to repay whatever has accrued, and we release the cars to you,” she said.

The CEO of MASLOC mentioned that, “Between February and now, I have recovered roughly about GHS8 million, but that is not even up to 10% of what is in debt. We have in debt over GHS430m”.In the meantime, three radio stations owned by Chairman Wontumi and six others have been directed by the National Communications Authority (NCA) to halt operations.

Their suspension was enforced under Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), which prevents the operation without a valid Certificate of Compliance.