Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, the former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC), has been granted extradition to Ghana to fulfil her 10-year sentence by a United States District Court in Nevada.
The court upheld the validity and enforceability of the extradition agreement between Ghana and the United States and determined that it has jurisdiction over both the accused and the extradition case.
It also proved that the person in front of the court is the same person that Ghanaian officials were looking for, and that all of Ghana’s supporting documentation was duly certified.
Additionally, the court determined that there is reasonable suspicion that Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu committed the crimes for which Ghana is requesting her extradition.
The court concluded by certifying her extradition to Ghana and directing her to be placed under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until the U.S. Secretary of State made a final decision regarding her surrender.
“Therefore, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. $ 3184, the above findings, the Court certifies the extradition of Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu aka Sedina Sharon Christine Acolaste to Ghana on the 25 counts of Stealing in violation of $ 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);”
“9 counts of Conspiracy to Steal in violation of $$ 23(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); 20 counts of Willfully Causing Financial Loss to the State in violation of $ 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); 11 counts of Conspiracy to Willfully Cause Financial Loss to the State in violation of $$ 23(1) and 179A(3)(a) of the Criminak Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);”
“3 counts of Causing Loss to Public Property in violation of $ 2 of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140); and 4 counts of Money Laundering in D violation of $ 1(1)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2008 (Act 749) and commits Attionu to the custody of the United States Marshal pending further decision on extradition and surrender by the Secretary of State pursuant to 18 U.S.C. $ 3186,” the order of Judge Albregts read in part.
In April 2024, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was found guilty in Ghana on several crimes, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy, money laundering, and procurement violations. She was given a 10-year prison sentence with hard labour.
According to court documents, she left Ghana before to the trial’s end while authorised to travel overseas for medical reasons.
An important stage in Ghanaian authorities’ attempts to uphold the ruling and return her to complete her sentence is her extradition.
As part of larger initiatives to recover state resources lost due to purported financial malfeasance at MASLOC, the matter continues to garner public attention.
Background
After being found guilty on 78 charges, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and violations of the Public Procurement Act, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour in April 2024.
Daniel Axim, a former MASLOC Chief Operating Officer and co-accused, was also given a five-year prison sentence with hard labour.
The two were charged with misappropriating money intended for MASLOC operations between 2013 and 2016. Six witnesses were called by the state at the 2019 trial.
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was tried in absentia after she fled while the court had granted her permission to travel overseas for medical care.
On the other hand, Daniel Axim gave an in-person testimony without calling any witnesses.
The withdrawal of GH¢500,000 as a loan to Obaatampa Savings and Loans Company, which the convicts then demanded be reimbursed after the institution refused to accept a 24 percent interest rate, was one of the charges determined by the court.
Despite proof that the money was reimbursed, MASLOC’s accounts did not display it.
The court also discovered that more than GH¢1.7 million that had been set aside for a sensitisation campaign had been embezzled.
Only GH¢1,300 of the GH¢20 that MASLOC was supposed to give each of the 85,300 beneficiaries was actually used.
Furthermore, only GH¢579,800 of the GH¢1.4 million intended for the victims of the Kantamanso fire was distributed; the remaining amount was illegally taken.
The lawsuit also included exaggerated procurement expenses for cars and Samsung cell phones, with evidence showing that even though the items were bought in bulk, the sums paid surpassed going rates.
Source: newsthemegh.com