The extradition of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) CEO, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, has reached a stage as the final decision now rests with the United States Secretary of State.

A US District Court in Nevada, presided over by Magistrate Judge Daniel J Albregts, certified Ghana’s extradition request after finding sufficient legal grounds and probable cause for Attionu’s conviction on multiple financial crimes.

The charges include 25 counts of stealing, 20 counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, and four counts of money laundering.

“THEREFORE, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3184, the above findings, the Court certifies the extradition of Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu a.k.a. 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 179

"A (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 Criminal 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 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 court ruled.

Attionu was convicted in absentia by an Accra High Court in 2024 and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for causing nearly GH¢90 million in financial losses during her tenure as MASLOC CEO between 2013 and 2016.

She had failed to return to Ghana after being granted permission in 2021 to travel to the United States for medical treatment, leading to her trial proceeding without her presence. Ghana’s government formally initiated extradition proceedings in 2025, culminating in the US court’s certification.

What the secretary of state will consider

According to the US Department of State publication, the Secretary of State is the official responsible for determining whether to surrender a fugitive to a requesting country. In making this decision, the Secretary may weigh:

"Legal compliance: Whether extradition is lawful under the US, Ghana extradition treaty and US law.

"Humanitarian concerns: Issues such as health, humanitarian grounds or risks of mistreatment.

"International obligations: Ensuring surrender does not violate US commitments under treaties like the Convention Against Torture.

US court orders Sedina Tamakloe’s extradition to Ghana

"Submissions from parties: Written materials from the fugitive, her counsel or other interested parties may be considered."

The Office of the Legal Adviser for Law Enforcement and Intelligence (L/LEI) is the designated recipient for such submissions, which must generally be filed within 30 days of the court’s certification.

Sedina Tamakloe remains in the custody of the US Marshals Service as the Secretary of State reviews Ghana’s request.

The decision will determine whether she is surrendered to Ghana to serve her sentence for financial crimes that caused significant losses to the state.

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