Las vegas: The extradition of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) CEO, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, has reached a critical stage as the final decision now rests with the United States Secretary of State. A US District Court in Nevada, presided over by Magistrate Judge Daniel J Albregts, certified Ghana's extradition request after finding sufficient legal grounds and probable cause for Attionu's conviction on multiple financial crimes.
According to Ghana Web, the charges against Attionu include 25 counts of stealing, 20 counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, and four counts of money laundering. The court's ruling certified her extradition on these charges, as well as conspiracy and causing loss to public property, committing her to the custody of the United States Marshal pending further decision by the Secretary of State.
Attionu was convicted in absentia by an Accra High Court in 2024 and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for causing nearly GHS90 million in financial losses during her tenure as MASLOC CEO between 2013 and 2016. She had not returned to Ghana after being granted permission in 2021 to travel to the United States for medical treatment, leading to her trial proceeding without her presence. Ghana's government formally initiated extradition proceedings in 2025, culminating in the US court's certification.
According to a publication by the US Department of State, the Secretary of State will consider several factors in the extradition decision, including legal compliance with the US-Ghana extradition treaty, humanitarian concerns such as health and risks of mistreatment, and international obligations to ensure the surrender does not violate US commitments under treaties like the Convention Against Torture. Submissions from the fugitive, her counsel, or other interested parties may also be considered, with the Office of the Legal Adviser for Law Enforcement and Intelligence (L/LEI) designated to receive such submissions.
Sedina Tamakloe remains in the custody of the US Marshals Service as the Secretary of State reviews Ghana's request. The decision will determine whether she is surrendered to Ghana to serve her sentence for financial crimes that caused significant losses to the state.