Ato Essien granted GH₵10m bail
The Court of Appeal has granted bail in the sum of GH₵10 million to the founder of defunct Capital Bank, William Ato Essien, in the ongoing trial relating to the collapse of the bank.
The bail, currently pending an appeal of his sentence, comes with two sureties and an order for Mr. Essien to deposit his passport with the court and report to the registrar of the court once a month.
This judgement is due to Ato Essien’s poor health condition following his arrest and imprisonment.
Recently, there have been growing calls for President John Dramani Mahama to pardon William Ato Essien, who was convicted in April 2023 of misapplying liquidity support from the Bank of Ghana and jailed on 12 October 2023 for 15 years by the Accra High Court.
Those calling for the president to pardon Ato Essien argue that the cases of all the other people who were charged for playing a role in the collapse of various other banks have been discontinued by the current government since it took office.
Consequently, the proponents for the grant of pardon contend it is unfair for only William Ato Essien to remain in jail.
The calls include pleas by notable individuals who have taken to social media and other channels to advocate for the release of William Ato Essien. They point out that Ato Essien is unwell and uses a wheelchair. He is currently on admission to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, where he is receiving treatment.
The head of mission for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), John Apea, announced that he plans to spearhead a formal petition calling for a presidential pardon for Ato Essien.
Dr Apea said his decision is grounded in his concerns about what he describes as a miscarriage of justice and worsening health conditions affecting Essien.
“This petition is not a defence of financial mismanagement. It is a call for a more balanced and humane approach to justice,one that takes into account not only legal outcomes but also the human condition and our moral responsibility as a nation,” Dr Apea said.
“I’m begging you, Your Excellency, please, he’s in a wheelchair, grant him clemency,” Kwaku Sintim-Misa (aka KSM) wrote on his Facebook wall.
“If all others who created the banking sector crisis are free, then why not him too?” Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, the former chief executive officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), also posted on his Facebook wall.