By: Evans Osei-Bonsu
A United States court has formally cleared the extradition of former MASLOC Chief Executive, Sedina Christine Tamakloe Attionu, to Ghana, in what has been described as a decisive legal victory for the Ghanaian state.
In its ruling, the United States District Court, District of Nevada held that all legal requirements for extradition had been fully met, paving the way for her return to face the full enforcement of her conviction in Ghana.
In a reaction, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Hon, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Esq., has questioned what he describes as a muted political response following the court’s ruling approving the extradition.
In a national interest message shared on his official Facebook wall, the Legislator said “This is a case that the Republic of Ghana has won,” emphasizing that “the United States Court has now vindicated that request in clear and emphatic terms.”
He, however, expressed concern over the apparent lack of public reaction from government actors, asking: “Why are they not jubilating? Why are there no organized processions proclaiming that justice has been served?”
Assafuah further cautioned against any attempt to undermine the outcome through executive clemency, warning that “any attempt to deploy clemency powers in a matter of this magnitude would amount to a direct assault on public confidence in the justice system.”
He also raised red flags over alleged ‘coverup’ developments involving a co-accused, noting that such actions could signal a gradual weakening of the enforcement of the case. “It would send a dangerous message that accountability in Ghana is not anchored in principle but in political convenience.”
The United States District Court formally certified the extradition of Attionu after finding that all legal requirements under U.S. law had been satisfied.
The court was unequivocal on jurisdiction, stating that it “possessed both subject matter and personal jurisdiction over the fugitive,” who had been lawfully arrested within its district. It further affirmed that the Magistrate Judge was “duly authorized under U.S. law to conduct the extradition hearing and issue certification.”
On treaty obligations, the court confirmed the continued force of the 1931 extradition treaty between the United States and the Ghana, reinforced by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Relying on the U.S. State Department, the court emphasized the long-standing principle of deference to the Executive in matters of treaty recognition.
On the substance of the case, the court ruled that the offences- ranging from stealing and causing financial loss to the state to money laundering meet the requirement of dual criminality, stressing that the underlying conduct involves “the dishonest dissipation and unlawful appropriation of public resources,” which is criminal in both jurisdictions.
The court also found “overwhelming” evidence supporting the request, relying on detailed affidavits from Ghanaian investigators.
Crucially, the court underscored that Attionu had already been convicted by the High Court of Ghana, noting that “a prior foreign conviction is by itself sufficient to establish probable cause for extradition purposes.”
Based on these findings, the court certified her extradition and ordered her detention pending a final decision by the U.S. Secretary of State.
Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || 2026
