Accra: The United States Embassy in Ghana has announced the extradition of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, to Ghana, making her the first person to be extradited from the United States to Ghana since 2009.
According to Ghana Web, the United States Embassy described the extradition as a demonstration of the strong law enforcement cooperation between Ghana and the United States in the fight against corruption and financial crimes. The Embassy emphasized that "justice has no borders," highlighting Attionu's conviction on over 70 corruption-related charges, including embezzling more than $6 million in Ghanaian taxpayer funds.
The Embassy further stated that the development reflects the shared commitment of both countries to accountability and the rule of law. The statement noted that this is the first extradition from the United States to Ghana since 2009, underscoring the robust partnership between the two nations.
Attionu arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at approximately 9:01 am through the Kotoka International Airport aboard United Airlines flight UA 996 from Washington Dulles International Airport. Upon arrival, she was met by security officials and immediately taken into custody.
She is currently undergoing routine medical examinations and administrative processing before being transferred to begin serving her prison sentence. Her extradition followed her arrest by US Marshals in Texas and subsequent detention at the Nevada Southern Detention Center while extradition proceedings were underway.
In April 2026, a United States District Court in Nevada, presided over by Magistrate Judge Daniel J Albregts, certified Ghana's request for her extradition. The court determined that sufficient legal grounds and probable cause existed concerning her conviction, thus clearing the legal pathway for her transfer to Ghanaian authorities.
The case originates from a 2024 judgment by the Accra High Court, which convicted Attionu in absentia and sentenced her to 10 years' imprisonment for offences including stealing and causing financial loss to the state during her time as MASLOC Chief Executive Officer between 2013 and 2016. She was found guilty on more than 70 corruption-related charges and accused of contributing to losses estimated at nearly GHS90 million in public funds. The charges also included multiple counts of conspiracy and money laundering-related offences.