Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has announced that his office is actively pursuing the extradition of former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, to serve her 10-year prison sentence with hard labor for causing financial loss to the state.
Additionally, former Chief Operating Officer of MASLOC, Daniel Axim, has been sentenced to five years in prison with hard labor.
The convictions were based on 78 counts related to financial loss to the state, theft, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and violations of public procurement laws.
Mr. Tuah-Yeboah stated that the extradition process for Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu had commenced before the court’s verdict and, despite encountering some obstacles, he is confident that the recent judgment will facilitate the extradition process.
“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 sentencing and assured the public that there would soon be updates on Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu’s return to Ghana.
The trial, which commenced in 2019, featured six state witnesses. Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was tried in absentia as she fled after being granted court permission for a medical check-up abroad. Daniel Axim testified in person but did not call any witnesses.
The convictions relate to the misappropriation of funds allocated for MASLOC activities between 2013 and 2016. One instance involved the convicts withdrawing GH₵500,000 as a loan from Obaatampa Savings and Loans company, demanding repayment when the institution refused to provide a 24% interest rate.
Although evidence of the repayment 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 sensitization exercise, with only a fraction of the funds used as intended.
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 the amounts paid exceeding prevailing market rates at the time, despite being bought in bulk.