The Court of Appeal has granted William Ato Essien, founder of the now-defunct Capital Bank, bail set at GHS10 million pending the outcome of his appeal against a 15-year prison sentence.

The bail decision, delivered on Wednesday, July 30, includes conditions such as the submission of his passport to the court and monthly check-ins with the court registrar. Two sureties are also required.

Essien was sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labour in October 2023 by an Accra High Court, following his guilty plea to 16 counts of stealing, money laundering, and conspiracy to steal. The charges stemmed from his role in the collapse of Capital Bank, involving over GHS90 million in financial misconduct.

In May 2024, Essien applied for bail pending appeal, citing deteriorating health, but the request was rejected by the High Court. He then escalated the matter to the Court of Appeal.

During the latest hearing, Essien’s legal team stressed his worsening health condition and the need for urgent medical care. They also highlighted his partial fulfillment of a plea deal that required him to repay GHS90 million to the state. He had initially paid GHS30 million in December 2022, but failed to meet subsequent payment deadlines for the remaining GHS60 million.

The prosecution opposed the bail, arguing that Essien had not honored the terms of the agreement. However, the three-member panel of justices pointed out that Section 35 of the Courts Act (Act 459)—which allows for restitution in exchange for a possible non-custodial sentence—raises questions that must be examined in the appeal process.

Background:

Essien and three associates were charged for offenses that led to the collapse of Capital Bank, including theft and money laundering amounting to GHS90 million. After entering a plea bargain, Essien agreed to repay the state in structured installments: GHS20 million each by April, August, and December 2023. By April, he had only paid GHS4 million of the first tranche and a total of GHS7 million by the time of sentencing.

As a result of his failure to meet payment terms, the High Court imposed the custodial sentence.

Following the sentencing, Dr. John Apea, Head of Missions at the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and a board member of the Commonwealth Human Rights Office for Africa, began advocating for clemency on humanitarian grounds. He launched a petition and pledged to present it to former President John Mahama, emphasizing Essien’s fragile health and the need for compassion in justice.

A 40-year-old businessman, Nurudeen Abdul Ganew, has appeared before the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly impersonating Professor Joshua Alabi, a prominent figure in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to defraud a Council of State member.

Ganew is facing charges of impersonation and defrauding by false pretences. He was arraigned alongside his two brothers, Nurudeen Rashid and Nurudeen Gafaru, on a joint charge of conspiracy to commit crime. All three pleaded not guilty and were granted bail set at GH¢150,000 with three sureties, one of whom must be justified.

Presiding judge Mrs. Sedinam Awo Kwadam ordered the accused to reappear in court on July 21, 2025.

Prosecutors revealed that on March 3, 2025, Ganew posed as Professor Alabi and deceived Mr. Hakeem Addae, a Council of State member and NDC Constituency Chairman for Twifo-Atti Morkwa. Ganew, also pretending to be a Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) official, allegedly promised to help Mr. Addae acquire a Toyota Land Cruiser and ten auctioned trucks, prompting the victim to send him GH¢60,000.

Ganew was later arrested at his residence in Wa, Upper West Region. The arrest led to the seizure of four identity cards, three pen drives, four mobile phones, and GH¢14,896 in cash.

Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of his brothers in Subinso, a suburb of Wenchi, on July 2, 2025. A search of their home uncovered over 12 mobile phones, multiple SIM cards—including some used in communication with Mr. Addae—and a political party database listing constituency executives across Ghana’s 16 regions.

Authorities say the three brothers formed a fraud syndicate, targeting high-profile individuals such as chiefs, queen mothers, political leaders, and companies. Ganew was identified as the ringleader who directly engaged victims, while his brothers facilitated the withdrawal of funds through mobile money vendors across several cities including Wa, Wenchi, Sunyani, Techiman, Koforidua, and Accra.

A 60-year-old man, Doe Fiano, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by an Accra High Court for shooting and killing his wife in the presence of their four-year-old child.

Fiano pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received an additional 10-year sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm. However, Justice Mrs. Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie ruled that both sentences will run concurrently.

The tragic event unfolded after a heated argument between Fiano and his wife, Grace Yorke Torku, triggered by a phone call she received from a male acquaintance. In a jealous outburst, Fiano retrieved a pistol from their bedroom and fatally shot her.

Originally facing a murder charge, Fiano pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of manslaughter under Section 296(1) of Act 30, resulting in a reduced sentence.

Fiano’s lawyer pleaded for leniency, highlighting that he had no previous criminal record, had shown remorse, and was the main caregiver for their children. However, the prosecution pushed for a minimum 30-year sentence, stressing the emotional trauma caused to the child who witnessed the killing and the brutal nature of the act — including gunshot wounds to the victim’s head and genital area.

In delivering the sentence, the judge considered both mitigating and aggravating factors, including Fiano’s remorse, his role as a first-time offender, and his responsibilities to his children.

According to prosecutors, the Assemblyman for the Okomante Electoral Area, Gordon Tsimese, alerted authorities after Fiano was spotted wielding a gun and threatening residents at Taaboo Line. Police later discovered Grace lying in a pool of blood. The murder weapon and an empty magazine were recovered in a subsequent search.

Fiano was later apprehended at Nii Amui Park in Ashaiman through police intelligence. A pathologist from Tema General Hospital confirmed that Grace died from gunshot wounds to the head.