The Head of Mission for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council has revealed that convicted William Ato Essien, the founder of the defunct Capital Bank, is currently confined to a wheelchair due to his poor health condition.
Dr. John Apea, who is currently leading a campaign to have Ato Essien granted a presidential pardon, remarked that the former bank owner underwent an operation due to his condition.
Speaking at a press conference on July 10, 2025, he revealed that preparations for the petition were already underway and that it would be submitted to the Office of the President.
He stated, “Mr. Ato Essien was charged jointly and severally with three other people. All three people were acquitted, including the third accused who paid that GHC 27.5 million. He is the only one who has been languishing in prison, currently in a wheelchair, in very bad health.”
Dr. Apea further stated that Ato Essien was recently admitted to the 37 Military Hospital for a few months where an operation was conducted on him. He added that, from what he was told, Ato Essien qualifies for a presidential pardon, especially from a human rights perspective.
Convicted in connection with the collapse of Capital Bank, Mr. Essien is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence.
Dr Apea asserts that while he initially pleaded guilty to the allegations, later available evidence demonstrates his innocence, suggesting he is unjustly incarcerated.
He concluded by saying that Ato Essien’s lawyers did an excellent job with the information they had, implying that despite any potential limitations in the available information, the lawyers representing Ato Essien did their best.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
