Akufo-Addo pardons defunct Capital Bank’s Ato Essien and 10 others

President Nana Akufo-Addo, in a final act of his presidency, has granted a presidential pardon to William Ato Essien, founder of the defunct Capital Bank, alongside 10 other convicts.

Ato Essien, sentenced in October 2023 to 15 years imprisonment for embezzling over GH¢90 million in Bank of Ghana liquidity support, was pardoned after serving one year, citing severe, life-threatening medical conditions.

The pardoned individuals include Philip Assibit, convicted in the GYEEDA scandal, and serving a 12-year term, as well as Dr. Stephen Opuni, Abuga Pele, Kweku Agyeman-Badu, Joyce Ama Anane, Kwame Gyan Boateng, Patrick Yeboah, Ebenezer Asamoah, and Richmond Frimpong.

This decision has sparked widespread public debate on accountability and justice in high-profile corruption cases.