Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has urged the government of Ghana to ensure full accountability in the case of former MASLOC chief Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu, following a U.S. court’s approval of her extradition to Ghana.
The United States District Court for the District of Nevada ruled that all legal requirements for extradition had been met, including jurisdiction, treaty validity, and probable cause, paving the way for her return to face justice in Ghana.
Legal victory
Reacting to the development, the MP described the ruling as a legal victory for Ghana but cautioned that the handling of the case upon her return would be critical.
“This is a case that the Republic of Ghana has won,” he said in a Facebook post, pointing to the court’s findings that the offences, including stealing and causing financial loss to the state, meet the threshold under both Ghanaian and U.S. law.
The court also relied on Attionu’s prior conviction in Ghana, noting that it was sufficient to establish probable cause for extradition.
No jubilation
However, Assafuah questioned what he described as a lack of public reaction from government supporters, suggesting inconsistency in how justice outcomes are received.
“Why are they not jubilating?” he asked, arguing that the response contrasts with reactions to other high-profile cases.
He further warned against any attempt to weaken the case’s impact through executive intervention, citing Article 72 of Ghana’s Constitution, which grants the president powers of clemency.
“Any attempt to deploy it in a matter of this magnitude would amount to a direct assault on public confidence in the justice system,” he said.
Co-accused on bail
Assafuah also raised concerns about developments involving a co-accused who has been granted bail pending appeal, warning that such moves could signal a gradual dilution of the case.
The extradition case stems from allegations of financial misconduct involving the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), where Attionu previously served as chief executive.
While the final decision on her surrender now rests with the U.S. Secretary of State, the case has shifted focus back to Ghana, where authorities will be expected to ensure that the judicial process proceeds without political interference.
“The Court in the United States has done its part,” Assafuah said. “The real test now lies here at home.”
Background
On 16 April 2024, an Accra High Court sentenced the former chief executive officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, to 10 years in prison with hard labor.
Daniel Axim, a former chief operating officer of MASLOC, was also sentenced to five years in jail with hard labour.
The two were found guilty on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and causing loss to public property, in contravention of public procurement law.
On 24 February 2023, the court granted the prosecution’s application to conduct the trial in the absence of Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu, after having allowed her to go to the United States in 2021 for medical attention, but she failed to return.
Brief facts
Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu (the first accused) and Daniel Axim (the second accused, a former chief operations officer at MASLOC) face court charges relating to allegations of theft and causing financial loss to the state amounting to GHC 93 million, among other offenses.
Together, the two accused face 78 charges, including conspiracy to steal, stealing, unauthorized commitment resulting in a financial obligation for the government, improper payment, money laundering, and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
The two accused allegedly stole a total of GHC3,198,280 while at MASLOC and wilfully caused the state a financial loss of GHC1,973,780.
Also, while in charge of MASLOC, Tamakloe Attionu and her accomplice allegedly made unauthorised commitments, resulting in financial obligations for the government amounting to GHC61,735,832.50.
Further charges against the two include a loss of GHC22,158,118.85 to public property, improper payment of GHC273,743.66, and money laundering of GHC3,704,380, all while in charge of MASLOC.
