Audio By Carbonatix
The outgoing president, Nana Akufo-Addo, has granted a presidential pardon to William Ato Essien and 10 other convicted individuals.
Mr Ato Essien, the founder of the defunct Capital Bank, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by an Accra High Court in October 2023.
He was convicted of embezzling over GH¢90 million of the Bank of Ghana’s liquidity support allocated to the now-defunct financial institution.
This decision follows his failure to fully repay the stated amount to the State, despite having agreed to do so and being afforded the opportunity.
Under the prerogative of mercy, Mr Essien, who had served one year of his 15-year sentence, is said to be suffering from "severe life-threatening medical conditions" and has undergone multiple surgeries as a result.
In addition to Mr Essien, eight other convicted individuals have been released by the president, including Philip Assibit, a convict in the GYEEDA scandal who was jailed for 12 years.
The list of the pardoned convicts is provided below:


Latest Stories
-
UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas
3 hours -
BP sells stake in motor oil arm Castrol for $6bn
4 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Asante Kotoko beat Eleven Wonders to go third
6 hours -
Algerian law declares France’s colonisation a crime
6 hours -
Soldiers remove rival Mamprusi Chief Seidu Abagre from Bawku following Otumfuo mediation
6 hours -
Analysis: How GoldBod’s operations led to a $214 million loss at the BoG
7 hours -
Why Extending Ghana’s Presidential Term from Four to Five Years Is Not in the Interest of Ghanaians
7 hours -
Young sanitation diplomat urges children to lead cleanliness drive
7 hours -
Energy sector shortfall persists; to balloon to US$1.10bn in 2026 – IMF
7 hours -
Gov’t secures $30m Chinese grant for new university of science and technology in Damongo
7 hours -
Education Minister commends St. Peter’s SHS for exiting double-track, pledges infrastructure support
7 hours -
ECG to be privatised – IMF reveals in Staff Report
7 hours -
Accra Unbuntu Lions Club impacts 500,000 Ghanaians in 5 years of social service
7 hours -
VALCO Board holds maiden strategic meeting with management
8 hours -
African Festival: Nollywood star Tony Umez joins Nkrumah musical in Accra
8 hours
