By Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has stated that his office is actively pursuing the extradition of Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), to serve her sentence. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor for her involvement in causing financial loss to the state.
Additionally, Daniel Axim, the former Chief Operating Officer of MASLOC, has been handed a five-year jail term with hard labor.
Both individuals were found guilty on 78 counts related to causing financial loss to the state, theft, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and violating public procurement laws.
Addressing the media following Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu’s conviction, the Deputy AG revealed that the extradition process for the former MASLOC CEO had commenced even before the court’s sentencing on Tuesday.
Despite encountering some hurdles during the process, Mr. Tuah-Yeboah is optimistic that the verdict will facilitate expediting the extradition proceedings.
“What is refreshing is that she will be brought down to face justice. In Ghana, we have various laws, you can choose to stay away but so far as we have laws relating to how we can extradite you from one country to Ghana, be rest assured that she will be brought down to face justice,” he added.
Mr. Tuah-Yeboah expressed satisfaction with the sentence from the AG’s office and assured the public that news of Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu’s return to Ghana will soon follow.
The trial, which commenced in 2019, featured six witnesses called by the state. Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was tried in absentia after absconding following court approval for a medical check-up abroad. Daniel Axim testified in person but did not call any witnesses.
The convictions result from the misappropriation of funds earmarked for MASLOC activities spanning from 2013 to 2016.
In one instance, the convicts withdrew GH₵500,000 as a loan from Obaatampa Savings and Loans company, later demanding a refund when the institution declined to provide a 24% interest rate.
Although evidence of the refund was presented, it was not reflected in MASLOC’s accounts.
The duo was also found guilty of misappropriating over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a sensitisation exercise, with only a fraction of the funds used for the intended purpose. Similarly, funds disbursed for victims of a fire incident at Kantamanso were not fully distributed, with a significant portion misappropriated by the accused.
The case also involved the purchase of vehicles and Samsung phones for MASLOC, with funds exceeding market prices at the time.
Despite being bought in bulk, evidence suggested that the amounts paid were higher than prevailing market rates.
