U.S. Extradites Former Ghanaian Microfinance Official Convicted In Absentia of Stealing $6 Million

The United States extradited Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu to Ghana on June 8, 2026, to serve a 10-year prison sentence after she failed to return from a court-approved medical trip, the Justice Department announced. S. Marshals Service surrendered the 60-year-old woman, also known as Sedina Sharon Christine Acolatse, to Ghanaian authorities that day.

A magistrate judge in the District of Nevada had certified her extradition on April 9, 2026, and the Secretary of State later authorized the surrender. Ghanaian authorities said Attionu stole and misappropriated approximately $6 million while serving as chief executive officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, known as MASLOC, from November 2013 to January 2017.

The agency provides low-interest loans to small and medium-scale businesses.

A Ghanaian court convicted her on more than 70 counts, including stealing, conspiracy, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering and related offenses. Prosecutors said she stole funds remitted to MASLOC, diverted money meant for outreach and disaster relief, bought vehicles and cellphones at inflated prices, and made unauthorized payments to herself and a co-conspirator.

Attionu attended the trial through the prosecution’s presentation of witnesses before obtaining permission to travel to the United States for medical treatment.

After she did not return, the court issued an arrest warrant, ruled her absence unjustified and continued the trial without her. On April 16, 2024, she was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Ghana requested her extradition.

The United States obtained an arrest warrant in December 2025 based on that request. Attorney Jessica Oliva of the District of Nevada handled the extradition litigation in coordination with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. S.