U.S extradites Sedina Tamakloe to Ghana to face prison sentence
The United States has extradited former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu to Ghana, where she is expected to serve a 10-year jail term following her conviction in absentia on more than 70 corruption-related charges.
The U.S. Embassy in Accra described the extradition, the first from the United States to Ghana since 2009, as a reflection of strong law enforcement cooperation between both countries and a shared commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
Court records show that Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted in absentia by a High Court in Accra for causing financial loss to the State and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The offences, committed between 2013 and 2016, include stealing, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act. Her co-accused, former MASLOC Chief Operating Officer Daniel Axim, was also convicted in the case.
She was later arrested and detained by United States authorities following an extradition request from Ghana.
The extradition follows a ruling by a United States District Court in Nevada in April 2026, which certified her surrender to Ghana. The court ordered that she remain in the custody of U.S. Marshals pending a final decision by the U.S. Secretary of State.
The court found that Tamakloe-Attionu, also known as Madam Sedina Sharon Christine Acolatse, is wanted in Ghana to serve her sentence on 72 counts of criminal offences, including 25 counts of stealing, nine counts of conspiracy to steal, 20 counts of willfully causing financial loss to the State, 11 counts of conspiracy to commit the same offence, three counts of causing loss to public property, and four counts of money laundering.
According to the U.S. court, the charges stem from multiple financial schemes through which she allegedly misappropriated more than GH₵25.6 million (about US$6 million) while serving as MASLOC CEO between 2013 and 2017.
Investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) reportedly revealed that she and a former MASLOC Operations Manager engaged in fraudulent disbursement of public funds.
Among the findings was a microfinance investment arrangement in which GH₵500,000 returned to MASLOC was allegedly diverted and not accounted for. Another involved a nationwide sensitisation and monitoring programme for beneficiaries, where over GH₵1.8 million was withdrawn but largely not used for its intended purpose.
The court also cited the misappropriation of disaster relief funds amounting to about GH₵579,800 meant for victims of a market fire in Accra, as well as the inflated procurement of mobile phones, which resulted in further financial loss to the State. An additional GH₵50,000 allegedly collected through her driver was also found to be unaccounted for.
In its legal analysis, the U.S. court held that the extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States remains valid and applicable. It further ruled that the offences satisfied the principle of dual criminality, as they are recognised under both jurisdictions.
The court also determined that there was sufficient evidence, including prior convictions in Ghana, to establish probable cause that Madam Tamakloe-Attionu committed the offences.
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