Former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu and former COO Daniel Axim have been handed down harsh sentences after being found guilty on multiple charges related to financial misconduct. Tamakloe has been sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour, while Axim received a 5-year sentence with hard labour.
The charges include causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and causing loss to public property in violation of public procurement law. The case has been ongoing since 2019, with Tamakloe being tried in absentia after absconding to seek medical treatment abroad. The state presented six witnesses during the trial, while Axim testified in person but did not call any witnesses to his defense.
One of the offenses the pair were convicted of involved withdrawing GHc 500,000 as a loan for Obaatampa Savings and Loans company and demanding a refund when the financial institution refused to yield a 24% percentage. Despite evidence of the refund, it was not reflected in MASLOC’s accounts.
Furthermore, Tamakloe and Axim misappropriated over 1.7 million Ghana cedis meant for a sensitization exercise, as well as funds intended for victims of a fire in Kantamanso. The pair also overpaid for vehicles and Samsung phones, with the amounts exceeding the prevailing market prices at the time of purchase.
Overall, the convictions highlight a pattern of financial misconduct and misappropriation of funds at MASLOC between 2013 and 2016. The sentencing of the former executives sends a strong message about accountability and integrity in public service.
