The Head of Missions at the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and Board Member of the Commonwealth Human Rights Office for Africa, Dr. John Apea, has renewed calls for presidential clemency for William Ato Essien. Dr. Apea emphasised the severely deteriorated health of the founder of the defunct Capital Bank as a compelling reason for clemency.
In a discussion on X Spaces on Sunday, Dr. Apea revealed that Mr. Essien is now wheelchair-bound due to a spinal injury he sustained while in custody. He highlighted the emotional and physical toll of Essien’s condition, stating, “As it stands now, Ato is not receiving the necessary medical care within the prison walls that he needs.”
He continued, “For me, clemency is the most important issue right now. I don’t want to interfere with the legal process regarding the court case or Capital Bank; I’ll leave that to the lawyer to handle step by step. But the real issue is that we have a father, a brother, a son who cannot take care of himself in prison due to his ill health. Should we just leave him there? Is that rehabilitation, or is it akin to a death penalty? We don’t have capital punishment for financial crimes in Ghana, but is this a silent execution that we are subjecting ill individuals to? I don’t believe that should be the case.”
Dr. Apea questioned the integrity of Ghana’s justice system in this context, drawing attention to the contrast in treatment between Essien and other high-profile figures convicted of financial crimes. He pointed out that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, formerly of uniBank, had been released under similar circumstances, yet Ato Essien remains incarcerated, despite his medical hardship. Dr. Apea explained that the petition is not about Mr Essien’s wealth or business standing, but rather about fairness and mercy.
William Ato Essien was convicted in December 2022 for allegedly embezzling over GH¢90 million from Capital Bank, funds acquired through Bank of Ghana liquidity support. Although initially spared a custodial sentence via a restitution agreement, he was later jailed in late 2023 after failing to fulfill the payment terms.
The clemency campaign asserts Mr Essien paid substantial sums toward restitution and challenges the legality of his conviction, citing concerns that he lacked the financial means for elite legal defense and may have been treated unfairly. Dr. Apea has announced a formal petition to Change.org, calling for clemency on humanitarian and justice grounds.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
