Former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, has arrived in Ghana to begin serving a 10-year prison sentence following her extradition from the United States — marking the first successful transfer of a fugitive from the US to Ghana since 2009.
The convicted former official touched down at the Kotoka International Airport at approximately 9:01 am on Tuesday aboard United Airlines flight UA 996 from Washington Dulles International Airport . She was immediately taken into custody by officials from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service, who will now make the necessary arrangements for her to begin serving her sentence .
US Embassy: “Justice has no borders”
Confirming the extradition in a statement on social media, the United States Embassy in Ghana declared: “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” .
The Embassy emphasised that the transfer demonstrates the strength of bilateral law enforcement cooperation, adding: “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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana, which received formal confirmation of the extradition, described the development as a major milestone in the country’s fight against impunity and cross-border corruption.
How she was finally brought to book
Tamakloe Attionu’s journey to justice began in 2017 when the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) initiated investigations into fraudulent disbursements of MASLOC funds during her tenure as CEO between 2013 and 2016 .
In April 2024, an Accra High Court convicted her in absentia on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy, money laundering, and procurement breaches . The court sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, having found that her actions caused the state a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million .
The convictions stemmed from multiple criminal schemes, including:
· GH¢150,000 invested in Obaatanpa Micro-Finance Company Limited with irregular accounting
· Over GH¢1.7 million appropriated for a sensitisation exercise, of which only GH¢1,300 was spent for its intended purpose
· Multiple unauthorised disbursements and misapplications of public funds meant to support small-scale businesses
How she left Ghana and was caught
In 2021, while her trial was ongoing, the High Court granted Tamakloe Attionu permission to travel to the United States for medical treatment. She never returned .
The court continued the trial in her absence and, following her conviction, Ghanaian authorities intensified efforts to secure her return. The government formally submitted an extradition request to US authorities in July 2024 .
After more than two years of legal proceedings, US Marshals arrested Tamakloe Attionu in Texas. She was held at the Nevada Southern Detention Center while a US District Court in Nevada, presided over by Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts, reviewed Ghana’s extradition request .
In April 2026, the court certified the extradition under 18 U.S.C. § 3184, finding sufficient legal grounds and probable cause linked to her conviction, thereby clearing the legal pathway for her surrender to Ghanaian authorities .
What next for the convicted ex-MASLOC boss?
Following her arrival in Accra, Tamakloe Attionu is currently undergoing routine medical examinations and debriefing as part of standard procedures for incoming convicted persons . She will then be formally transferred to the custody of the Ghana Prisons Service to begin serving her 10-year sentence.
Government Spokesperson and Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that officials of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service have taken her into custody and are making the necessary arrangements .
A landmark moment in Ghana-US cooperation
Anti-corruption advocates have hailed the extradition as a major test case for Ghana’s ability to pursue and secure the return of convicted public officials who flee the country while facing criminal proceedings .
The successful transfer also signals a renewed commitment from both nations to cross-border accountability. Officials say it demonstrates that fleeing Ghana’s borders no longer equates to escaping its laws — a message reinforced by ongoing efforts to extradite other high-profile fugitives, including former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has previously disclosed that US authorities have assured Ghana of continued cooperation on pending extradition cases, stating that the United States “will not stand in the way of Ghana” regarding the removal of wanted persons .
The Attorney-General is expected to hold further discussions with the US Department of Justice to strengthen cooperation and address outstanding cases requiring legal assistance and extradition arrangements .
For now, Tamakloe Attionu’s return stands as a powerful symbol: justice, indeed, has no borders.
— MyJoyOnline
