Muntaka Dismisses Special Treatment Claims, Confirms Sedina Tamakloe Is in Prison Custody
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has categorically denied claims that former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, is being held in a private facility or receiving preferential treatment while serving her prison sentence. Speaking in an interview on Joy News, the Interior Minister stressed that Madam Tamakloe-Attionu remains under the lawful custody of the Ghana Prisons Service and is serving her sentence like any other convicted inmate. “From the day she came, she has been with us, and she’s with us, and she’s serving her term,” Mr. Muntaka stated. His remarks come amid growing calls from some opposition lawmakers demanding greater transparency regarding the exact location where the former MASLOC boss is being held following her conviction. However, the Minister rejected suggestions that her place of incarceration should be publicly disclosed, arguing that such information could pose security risks. “Maybe in Ghana, we take telling people where somebody is serving lightly, because in America and other countries, disclosing the location of a high-profile person can even lead to the death of that person. So it’s for safety,” he explained. Mr. Muntaka further assured the public that there is no special arrangement for the convicted former official. “Trust us, she’s serving her term. She’s not in any private residence. She is with us,” he emphasized. Reinforcing his position, the Minister questioned the basis of the allegations. “Was she not sentenced? She was. If she was sentenced, where would she be? She must be in prison custody,” he added. He noted that individuals seeking to verify her location or arrange a visit should do so through the appropriate channels of the Ghana Prisons Service. In 2024, the Accra High Court convicted Sedina Tamakloe Attionu in absentia and sentenced her to 10 years in prison on multiple charges, including causing financial loss to the state and stealing. The court determined that her actions during her tenure at MASLOC between 2013 and 2016 resulted in a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million. Madam Tamakloe-Attionu had been granted permission by the High Court in 2021 to travel abroad for medical treatment but failed to return, leading to the continuation of legal proceedings in her absence and her eventual conviction. Her return to Ghana followed her extradition from the United States to begin serving the 10-year sentence imposed by the Accra High Court. She arrived at the Accra International Airport on June 9 aboard United Airlines flight UA 996 from Washington Dulles International Airport and was immediately received by security officials before being taken into custody.
- Muntaka confirms Sedina is in prison custodMuntaka confirms Sedina is in prison custody
- Minister denies claims of special treatment or private detention
- Government cites security concerns for withholding prison location
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has categorically denied claims that former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, is being held in a private facility or receiving preferential treatment while serving her prison sentence.
Speaking in an interview, the Interior Minister stressed that Madam Tamakloe-Attionu remains under the lawful custody of the Ghana Prisons Service and is serving her sentence like any other convicted inmate.
“From the day she came, she has been with us, and she’s with us, and she’s serving her term,” Mr. Muntaka stated.
His remarks come amid growing calls from some opposition lawmakers demanding greater transparency regarding the exact location where the former MASLOC boss is being held following her conviction.
However, the Minister rejected suggestions that her place of incarceration should be publicly disclosed, arguing that such information could pose security risks.
“Maybe in Ghana, we take telling people where somebody is serving lightly, because in America and other countries, disclosing the location of a high-profile person can even lead to the death of that person. So it’s for safety,” he explained.
Mr. Muntaka further assured the public that there is no special arrangement for the convicted former official.
“Trust us, she’s serving her term. She’s not in any private residence. She is with us,” he emphasized.
Reinforcing his position, the Minister questioned the basis of the allegations.
“Was she not sentenced? She was. If she was sentenced, where would she be? She must be in prison custody,” he added.
He noted that individuals seeking to verify her location or arrange a visit should do so through the appropriate channels of the Ghana Prisons Service.
In 2024, the Accra High Court convicted Sedina Tamakloe Attionu in absentia and sentenced her to 10 years in prison on multiple charges, including causing financial loss to the state and stealing. The court determined that her actions during her tenure at MASLOC between 2013 and 2016 resulted in a financial loss of nearly GH¢90 million.
Madam Tamakloe-Attionu had been granted permission by the High Court in 2021 to travel abroad for medical treatment but failed to return, leading to the continuation of legal proceedings in her absence and her eventual conviction.
Her return to Ghana followed her extradition from the United States to begin serving the 10-year sentence imposed by the Accra High Court.
She arrived at the Accra International Airport on June 9 aboard United Airlines flight UA 996 from Washington Dulles International Airport and was immediately received by security officials before being taken into custody.
