Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), has received a sentence of 10 years in prison with hard labor.
The trial, which commenced in 2019, involved the testimony of six witnesses called by the state. Tamakloe-Attionu was tried in absentia as she fled after being granted court permission for a medical examination overseas.
In contrast, Daniel Axim, the former Chief Operating Officer of MASLOC, testified in person but did not present any witnesses.
Daniel Axim has also been sentenced to five years in prison with hard labor. Both individuals were convicted on 78 charges related to causing financial loss to the state, theft, conspiracy to commit theft, money laundering, and violations of public procurement laws.
The convictions arise from the misuse of funds earmarked for MASLOC operations from 2013 to 2016.
At one point, the culprits took out a GH₵500,000 loan from Obaatampa Savings and Loans but demanded a refund when the institution declined a 24% interest rate request.
While proof of repayment was provided, it was not recorded in MASLOC’s records.
The pair was also convicted of embezzling over GH¢1.7 million designated for a sensitization program, with only a small fraction used as intended.
Similarly, funds allocated for victims of a fire incident in Kantamanso were not fully distributed, and a significant portion was misappropriated.
The case also included the purchase of vehicles and Samsung phones for MASLOC, with payments exceeding market prices at the time.
