(L-R) Godfred Dame says Ato Essien should be free by Dr Dominic Ayine
Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has called on his successor, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, to ‘free’ the founder of defunct Capital Bank, William Ato Essien.
Dame made this call in a write-up criticising Dr Ayine’s decision to file a nolle prosequi in the case of former finance minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor and seven others, who were facing charges in connection with the collapse of the defunct uniBank.
He pointed out that Ato Essien was jailed over the collapse of his bank, which is the same reason Dr Duffuor and the seven others in the uniBank case are being prosecuted.
He stated that based on the same principle he relied on to make the decision to withdraw the case of the former finance minister, the Attorney General must also free Ato Essien, who is serving a 15-year jail term.
“In Republic v. William Ato Essien – a case arising out of the collapse of Capital Bank – the amount admitted as owed by Ato Essien himself was GH¢27 million. The state, in an agreement entered into under Section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), settled on GH¢90 million to be paid by the accused person.
“The accused paid GH¢30 million in cash before the settlement was adopted by the court, with the rest to be paid over a period of one year. When he defaulted after paying GH¢9 million in addition to the GH¢30 million deposit, the Attorney-General applied to the court for him to be sentenced to a term in prison,” parts of his write-up, which was posted on social media on July 29, 2025, read.
“Ato Essien is presently in custody serving a 15-year jail term. I daresay that, on account of the ‘RESETTING’ of prosecution we are witnessing, there is no justification for Ato Essien to be in jail. Free Ato Essien now!” he added.
Dame also raised questions about suggestions that the uniBank case is being withdrawn because the accused persons have paid 60% of the money involved in the case.
However, Dame claimed that no money has been paid to the state, as the public has been made to believe.
“Questions arising include: Was any agreement executed with the Republic before the entry of nolle prosequi, and if so, when? Where is that agreement? Has any fair and objective valuation of the properties been done, and if so, when? Where is the valuation report? In the event of default, what is the penalty and how enforceable is it?” he quizzed.
BAI/VPO
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