In a significant development, a Commonwealth official is set to spearhead a petition advocating for the pardon of William Ato Essien, the founder of the defunct Capital Bank in Ghana. This initiative comes amidst growing calls for a review of Essien’s conviction and subsequent imprisonment.
Essien was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of embezzling over GH¢90 million in liquidity support provided by the Bank of Ghana to Capital Bank. Despite an initial opportunity to avoid custodial sentencing by repaying the amount, Essien failed to meet the agreed-upon payment terms, leading to his incarceration.
The upcoming petition, led by the Commonwealth official, aims to highlight concerns about the fairness of Essien’s trial and the circumstances surrounding his conviction. Advocates argue that his significant contributions to Ghana’s financial sector and the alleged political motivations behind the bank’s collapse warrant a reconsideration of his sentence.
As the petition gains momentum, it underscores the ongoing debate over justice, accountability, and the potential for clemency in high-profile financial cases.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
