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‘He’s in extremely bad shape’ – KSM begs Mahama to pardon jailed CEO of defunct Capital Bank

Speaking during his programme The KSM Show, the experienced broadcaster expressed grave concern over the current health condition of Mr. Essien, who is currently serving a custodial sentence.

According to KSM, the former banker suffered a serious accident while in prison, resulting in a severe spinal injury that has confined him to a wheelchair.

“Mr. President, I beg you. Please, this man in my view has been wronged. He is languishing in jail. If you should go and visit Ato Essien right now, the man is in a wheelchair,” KSM said. “He had an accident while in jail, and I think he sustained a very severe spinal injury. So right now, the man is in extremely bad shape. He is in a wheelchair because he has a spinal problem… so many things.”

The veteran entertainer emphasized that his appeal was not based on personal friendship or sentiment, but rather on what he described as the “inhumane” nature of Mr. Essien’s current condition behind bars.

“I am using this platform to appeal to His Excellency. Please, you have the power of clemency. I am begging the President. I can use this platform for all Ghanaians to add their voices and plead that Ato Essien does not belong there,” KSM stated.

William Ato Essien, an entrepreneur and founder of First Capital Plus, which later evolved into Capital Bank, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by an Accra High Court on October 23, 2023, after being found guilty of stealing over GH¢90 million in liquidity support provided by the Bank of Ghana to Capital Bank.

He was initially given the opportunity to avoid a custodial sentence by agreeing to repay the GH¢90 million as restitution to the state. However, he failed to meet the payment terms agreed upon with the Attorney General and the court.

Essien paid GH¢30 million upfront in December 2022 but was unable to pay the remaining GH¢60 million in the agreed installments. His failure to fulfill the terms led the court to impose the custodial sentence.

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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