The Accra High Court has given William Ato Essien, the founder of defunct Capital Bank, up to July 27, 2023 to pay the outstanding GH¢12million in respect of the second tranche as agreed in the terms of settlement.
Baffour Gyawu Ashia, a counsel for the convict, informed the court that they have made payment of GH¢2million in addition to previously paid sums, making a total of GH¢8 million since the last adjourned date, leaving a balance of GH¢12million in respect of the 2nd tranche of GH¢20million, which was to be settled by April 28, 2023.
He said the convict’s company, Essien Swiss, had reached an agreement with another in order to raise more money to settle the debt.
He prayed the court for the release of Mr. Essien’s passport which was lodged in the court’s registry, so he could move around to get money to settle the debt.
He further prayed for the convict to be given ample time to make good the outstanding of GH¢12million.
Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, a deputy Attorney General, opposed the request for the convict to be allowed access to his passport, as there was a likelihood he would not return to court.
Essien was convicted for stealing over GH¢90million of Bank of Ghana’s liquidity support to the then Capital Bank.
Per the High Court’s judgment, he was supposed to have paid GH¢20 million of the GH¢60million restitution by April 28, 2023 and pay the rest by the end December 2023.
The court presided over by Justice Kyei Baffour, a Court of Appeal Judge sitting as an additional High Court Judge, accepted the terms of settlement filed by the Attorney-General and Ato Essien.
By the terms of settlement, Ato Essien was to refund the amount of GH¢90 million.
The Attorney General filed a motion praying the Court to impose a custodial sentence on Ato Essien for failing to pay the GH¢20million by 28th April, 2023.
