In a significant legal breakthrough for the Ghanaian justice system, a United States District Court in Nevada has officially certified the extradition of Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, the former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC).
As of Sunday, April 12, 2026, the court ruled that there is probable cause to believe she committed the offenses for which she was convicted in Ghana, paving the way for her return to serve her 10-year prison sentence.
The Legal Ruling in Nevada
The extradition proceedings, which have been ongoing since her arrest in January 2026, reached a critical milestone this weekend:
Jurisdiction & Treaty: The U.S. court confirmed its jurisdiction over the case and ruled that the extradition treaty between the United States and Ghana remains "valid and enforceable".
Identification: The court established that the individual in custody at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump is indeed the same person sought by the Republic of Ghana.
Next Steps: While the court has certified the extradition, the final decision on her surrender now rests with the U.S. Secretary of State.
Background: The MASLOC Case
The case against the former CEO involves one of the most high-profile financial scandals in recent Ghanaian history:
The Crimes: In April 2024, an Accra High Court found Tamakloe-Attionu guilty on 78 counts, including stealing, money laundering, conspiracy, and causing financial loss to the state totaling over GH¢90 million.
The Abscondence: She was tried in absentia after fleeing Ghana in 2021 while on a court-approved medical leave to the United States.
The Sentence: Along with her 10-year sentence of hard labor, her co-accused, former MASLOC COO Daniel Axim, was sentenced to 5 years.
Key Financial Offenses Established
The court proceedings detailed several instances of misappropriation between 2013 and 2016:
| Offense | Detail |
| Obaatampa Loan | GH¢500,000 withdrawn as a loan; refunded by the company but never reached MASLOC accounts. |
| Sensitization Funds | Over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a national exercise was misappropriated; only GH¢1,300 was actually used. |
| Inflated Procurement | Intentional overpricing of vehicles and Samsung mobile phones purchased in bulk. |
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