The High Court in Accra has issued an arrest warrant for Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the convicted former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC). This action follows an ex-parte motion filed by State Prosecutors, seeking her arrest.
The warrant comes after Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah’s emphasis on the government’s commitment to extradite Tamakloe-Attionu to Ghana to serve her 10-year prison sentence. Tamakloe-Attionu was sentenced in absentia after she absconded, having received court permission for a medical check-up abroad.
In addition to Tamakloe-Attionu’s sentence, the court also sentenced Daniel Axim, the former Chief Operating Officer of MASLOC, to five years in prison. The two were convicted on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, theft, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and contravening public procurement laws.
Assistant State Attorney Yvonne Yaache-Adomako, moving the ex-parte motion, stated that Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted on all 78 counts.
“I have before you a motion ex-parte for an arrest warrant to be issued for the arrest of the 2nd respondent convict (Sedina Tamakloe),” Ms Yaache-Adomako prayed.
She further stressed that “based on the facts and the attached exhibits we have demonstrated sufficient grounds for the issuance of the said warrant to arrest the convict.”
“We humbly pray that this court grants our application,” she added.
The presiding judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, granted the motion.
The background to this case reveals a complex story of misappropriation and corruption within MASLOC. The convictions stem from misappropriation of funds designated for MASLOC’s activities between 2013 and 2016. The convicts withdrew GH₵500,000 from Obaatampa Savings and Loans company as a loan, demanding a refund when the institution did not provide a 24% interest rate. While evidence of the refund was presented, it did not appear in MASLOC’s accounts.
Additionally, the court found that over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a sensitisation exercise was largely misappropriated, with only a fraction used for its intended purpose. Funds meant for fire victims at Kantamanso were also misused, with a substantial portion disappearing into the pockets of the accused.
The case further involved the purchase of vehicles and Samsung phones for MASLOC at prices exceeding market rates, despite the bulk purchase. This overpricing suggested collusion and corruption within the procurement process.
