Former MASLOC boss sentenced to 10 years in prison over stealing
It has been revealed that Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, the former head of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), has been given a 10-year prison sentence. She was found guilty of stealing over GH¢90 million during her time as CEO. The court found her guilty of 78 charges, including causing financial loss to the state, theft, and money laundering.
The trouble started in 2017 when investigators looked into how MASLOC funds were being used under her leadership. They found that she had taken GH¢3.19 million for herself and caused the state to lose GH¢1.97 million. She also made unauthorized commitments that cost the government GH¢61.74 million.
The court heard that Tamakloe Attionu used GH¢500,000 of MASLOC funds for personal use. She also took GH¢1,816,000 for a nationwide program, but only spent GH¢1,300 on refreshments for beneficiaries in three regions. The rest of the money was not used for the program.
The court also found that she took some of the GH¢1,465,035 meant for victims of a market fire in 2013. She only used GH¢579,800 for the intended purpose. Tamakloe Attionu was also found guilty of buying vehicles and mobile phones at very high prices.
Tamakloe Attionu was tried in her absence because she left the country while on medical leave. Another former MASLOC official, Daniel Axim, was also given a five-year prison sentence for his role in the scandal.
