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

Renowned Ghanaian satirist and broadcaster Kwaku Sintim-Misa, popularly known as KSM, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to show mercy to imprisoned businessman William Ato Essien, the founder of the now-defunct Capital Bank.

Speaking on his popular programme, The KSM Show, the veteran media personality expressed serious concern over Ato Essien’s current health condition, revealing that the former banker is now confined to a wheelchair following a severe accident in prison.

“Mr. President, I beg you. Please, this man in my view has been wronged. He is languishing in jail,” KSM pleaded. “If you should go and visit Ato Essien right now, the man is in a wheelchair. 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.”

KSM emphasized that his appeal was not rooted in personal sentiment or friendship, but rather in the need to show compassion to someone who, in his view, no longer deserves to be behind bars in such a state. He stressed that continuing to keep Essien in prison, given his condition, was “inhumane.”

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

William Ato Essien was sentenced to 15 years in prison in October 2023 after the Accra High Court found him guilty of stealing over GH¢90 million in liquidity support funds provided by the Bank of Ghana to Capital Bank.

Prior to the sentencing, the court had given him a lifeline—an opportunity to avoid jail time—by agreeing to repay the money to the state. He was initially required to pay GH¢90 million as restitution, with GH¢30 million to be paid upfront in December 2022, and the remaining GH¢60 million in agreed installments.

While he was able to pay the first tranche, Essien failed to meet the subsequent payment deadlines. This failure led the court to rescind the earlier arrangement and hand down a custodial sentence.

Since then, little had been heard about his condition until KSM’s emotional public appeal, which has now brought renewed attention to his case and stirred conversation across the country.

The question now remains whether President Akufo-Addo will consider the plea for clemency, especially given Ato Essien’s deteriorating health and the humanitarian concerns raised.