Former MASLOC CEO Arrested in the United States : Extradition Process To Begin

Former MASLOC CEO Arrested in the United States

The United States has arrested and detained Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC).

This action pends extradition proceedings after a Ghanaian court convicted and sentenced her in absentia to ten years in prison.

Ghanaian Embassy Confirms Detention Details

Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Victor Emmanuel Smith, officially confirmed the arrest in a statement dated Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The statement specifies that authorities are currently holding Tamakloe-Attionu at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, Nevada.

Ambassador Smith detailed the operation, stating,

“My information is that US Marshals detained her on January 6th.” He directly attributed the arrest to formal cooperation, adding,

“Acting on an extradition request from Ghanaian authorities in July 2024, US Marshals arrested Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu to await her court proceedings.”

Background: A Landmark Conviction in Absentia

This arrest marks a pivotal development in a major case. In April 2024, an Accra High Court found Tamakloe-Attionu and a former colleague guilty on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, and money laundering for crimes committed during her tenure from 2013 to 2016.

The court tried her in absentia after she failed to return from a court-permitted medical trip abroad, later issuing a warrant for her arrest.

Court Exposed Widespread Financial Misconduct

The court’s judgment revealed extensive financial malfeasance. Key findings include:

• Misappropriated Loan: MASLOC never re-deposited GH¢500,000 withdrawn for Obaatampa Savings and Loans after demanding its refund.

• Diverted Program Funds: Officials misappropriated over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a national exercise, spending only GH¢1,300 as intended.

• Siphoned Disaster Relief: Only GH¢579,800 of GH¢1.4 million meant for fire disaster victims reached beneficiaries.

• Inflated Procurement: The conviction also covered the inflated purchase of vehicles and Samsung mobile phones at above-market rates.

Next Steps: Extradition Process Begins

With her detention, the formal extradition process under the Ghana-U.S. treaty is now underway.

If successful, the United States will return Tamakloe-Attionu to Ghana to serve her 10-year sentence with hard labor.