The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has announced the extradition of Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, the former Chief Executive of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), to Ghana after her conviction on over 70 charges related to corruption.
In a post shared on its social media platforms on Tuesday, June 9, the Embassy described the extradition as a testament to the robust law enforcement collaboration between Ghana and the United States, as well as a mutual dedication to accountability.
The Embassy stated that Attionu was found guilty of crimes that included the embezzlement of more than US$6 million in Ghanaian taxpayer funds.
The Embassy highlighted that her extradition represents the first transfer of a fugitive from the United States to Ghana since 2009, emphasising the increasing cooperation between the two nations in the fight against corruption and the enforcement of the rule of law.
Her return to Ghana follows an extensive extradition process that began after she did not return to the country following a medical trip to the United States.
In 2024, the Accra High Court convicted Attionu in absentia and sentenced her to 10 years in prison after determining her guilt on multiple charges, including causing financial loss to the state and theft.
The court found that her actions during her tenure as MASLOC Chief Executive from 2013 to 2016 led to a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million to the state.
After her conviction, Ghanaian authorities ramped up efforts to ensure her return and formally requested her extradition in 2025.
This request was later reviewed by a U.S. District Court in Nevada, which approved the extradition after evaluating the legal documents provided by Ghana.
