Commonwealth's Dr. John Apea to Spearhead National Petition for Ato Essien's Pardon
Accra, Ghana - 5 July, 2025 - A senior Commonwealth official has launched a high-profile campaign to secure a presidential pardon for William Ato Essien, the founder of Ghana’s defunct Capital Bank, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for misappropriating over GH¢90 million.
Dr John Apea, Head of Mission for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, announced on 5 July 2025 that he will lead a national petition, citing a “travesty of justice” and Essien’s deteriorating health as key reasons for seeking clemency.
Dr. John Apea is the Head of Mission for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
Essien, a once-celebrated entrepreneur whose First Capital Plus evolved into Capital Bank, was convicted in October 2023 by an Accra High Court for stealing liquidity support funds provided by the Bank of Ghana.
The court found that Essien misappropriated over GH¢90 million, contributing to the bank’s collapse in 2017 during a broader financial sector crisis in Ghana. Under a plea agreement, Essien was initially allowed to avoid jail by repaying the funds in instalments. He paid GH¢30 million in December 2022 but defaulted on subsequent payments, leading to the imposition of the custodial sentence.
Dr Apea’s petition, set to be submitted to President John Dramani Mahama, argues that Essien’s conviction raises serious questions about fairness in Ghana’s judicial process.
Speaking to local media, Apea emphasised that the initiative is not an attempt to excuse wrongdoing but a call for a “balanced and humane approach” to justice.
“This is not about defending wrongdoing,” Dr. Apea clarified. “This is about ensuring that justice in our country aligns with the fundamental values of fairness, human dignity, and compassion, the very ideals upheld by the Commonwealth.”
He highlighted Essien’s declining health in prison as a pressing humanitarian concern, echoing earlier appeals from prominent figures like Ghanaian satirist Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM), who in July 2025 urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to grant clemency, stating Essien was in “extremely bad shape.”
“This is a moment for Ghana to demonstrate moral leadership,” he said. “Compassion and justice are not mutually exclusive. A presidential pardon in this case would not undermine the rule of law, but rather reinforce our collective commitment to human rights and reconciliation.”
The campaign has reignited debate over Ghana’s justice system, particularly the use of presidential pardons in high-profile cases.
Apea, leveraging his position within the Commonwealth, stressed Ghana’s obligation to uphold international human rights norms, including the treatment of prisoners with health issues.
“A pardon in this case would reflect Ghana’s commitment to compassion without undermining accountability,” he said.
The petition is expected to garner support from civic leaders, religious groups, and legal experts, with preparations already underway.Essien’s case has been contentious since his conviction. A prior petition in February 2025, submitted by lawyer Andrew Appiah-Danquah, argued that the collapse of Capital Bank was not due to fraud but a “politically orchestrated move” to target Essien, who resisted pressure to relinquish control of his bank. The petition praised Essien’s contributions to Ghana’s financial sector, noting that Capital Bank created jobs and supported local businesses before its closure.
However, the Accra High Court rejected Essien’s bail application in May 2025 pending an appeal, with Justice Emmanuel Lodoh ruling that he remain in custody.
The controversy surrounding Essien’s imprisonment comes amid broader scrutiny of Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts and judicial processes.
Source: Lead News Online
