The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts at the United States Department of Justice on all pending extradition requests between Ghana and the United States, in a move that signals deepening legal cooperation between the two countries.
The planned engagement comes shortly after the return of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, who was extradited from the United States to Ghana to begin serving a prison sentence following her conviction on multiple corruption related offences.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed that the Attorney General’s meeting with officials from the United States Department of Justice would focus on outstanding extradition matters involving individuals sought by both countries.
The discussions are expected to strengthen existing legal collaboration and facilitate the effective processing of extradition requests in accordance with established international legal frameworks.
Sedina Attionu Returned to Ghana
According to Hon. Kwakye Ofosu, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu was convicted and sentenced in absentia by the High Court in April 2024. Following the conviction, the Government of Ghana formally requested her extradition from the United States in July 2024 to enable her to serve her sentence in Ghana.
“After over two years of court proceedings, the United States authorities notified the Government of her surrender in January this year. She arrived in Accra on Tuesday, June 9, 2026”.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Officials from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service have since taken custody of the former MASLOC boss to facilitate the commencement of her prison term.
First US Extradition to Ghana Since 2009
Attionu’s return marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s international law enforcement cooperation. It represents the first extradition from the United States to Ghana since 2009.
Background information on the case indicates that the former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer was convicted in absentia on 72 counts, including stealing, money laundering and wilfully causing financial loss to the state amounting to nearly GH¢90 million during her tenure between 2013 and 2016.
She was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour. Attionu had initially travelled to the United States in 2021 after obtaining permission from the court to seek medical treatment. However, she failed to return to Ghana, prompting the continuation of the trial in her absence.
In January 2026, United States Marshals arrested her following an extradition request submitted through Ghana’s Attorney General’s Department. A United States District Court in Nevada later certified the extradition after determining that a valid treaty existed and that sufficient grounds had been established to support the request.
Other Extradition Cases Under Review
The upcoming bilateral discussions are also expected to address several pending extradition requests involving individuals sought by authorities in both Ghana and the United States.
Among the most prominent cases is that of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta. Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor has reportedly submitted a formal extradition request to the United States Department of Justice in relation to multiple corruption related allegations.
Former chief of staff to the Finance Minister, Ernest Darko Akore, is also the subject of an active extradition request transmitted to American authorities.
The United States, on the other hand, continues to pursue extradition proceedings involving individuals wanted in connection with financial and cyber related crimes. One such outstanding request concerns Abu Trica, who is reportedly wanted by American authorities.
The two countries have already demonstrated their commitment to mutual legal assistance through previous extradition cases. Ghana recently extradited Joseph Badu Boateng, popularly known as Dada Joe Remix, to the United States to face charges linked to an alleged international fraud scheme.
Additionally, nine Ghanaian nationals connected to online fraud operations have previously been extradited to the United States following coordinated investigations between law enforcement agencies in both countries.
Commitment to Rule of Law
The extradition processes between Ghana and the United States are governed by established treaties and judicial procedures designed to ensure fairness and due process. Requests are assessed through independent court systems, with diplomatic channels facilitating communication between the relevant authorities.
The Attorney General’s planned engagement with officials from the United States Department of Justice is therefore expected to reinforce cooperation on cross border criminal matters while demonstrating the commitment of both governments to accountability and the rule of law.
As international crime increasingly transcends national boundaries, effective extradition arrangements remain an essential tool in ensuring that individuals accused or convicted of serious offences are brought before the appropriate judicial authorities.
The outcome of the forthcoming discussions could shape the trajectory of several high profile cases currently under review and further strengthen the longstanding legal partnership between Ghana and the United States.
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