Presidency denies granting pardon to Ato Essien and 10 others

The Office of the President has refuted reports suggesting that President Nana Akufo-Addo has granted presidential pardons to 11 convicted persons.

A viral letter, dated 31st December and allegedly signed by Kow Abaka Essuman, Acting Secretary and Legal Counsel to the President, claimed that the President had exercised his prerogative of mercy in accordance with Article 72 (1) of the Constitution.

Notable among the convicts mentioned were founder of the defunct Capital Bank, William Ato Essien, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing over GH¢90 million, and Philip Assibit, one of two individuals jailed in 2018 for their role in the National Youth Employment Agency (NYEP) scandal.

Other names listed included Frank Obeng, whose 40-year manslaughter conviction was allegedly to be reduced to 12 years, and Stephen Nyarko, convicted of conspiracy to rob and robbery in December 2010 and sentenced to 30 years, who was also purportedly granted a pardon.

However, in a subsequent statement dated 6th January, Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Office of the President, dismissed the reports, describing them as inaccurate.

The statement read:

The attention of the Office of the President has been drawn to reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has granted a presidential pardon to certain individuals.

We wish to categorically state that these assertions are inaccurate, and no pardon has been granted by President Akufo-Addo.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo is set to officially hand over power to a new administration on Tuesday January 7, 2025.

Read the full statement from the Office of the President below.

Read Full Story