The office of President Akufo-Addo has denied reports alleging that the president has granted a presidential pardon to 11 individuals currently serving jail sentences.
Initial reports suggested that President Akufo-Addo invoked Article 72 (1) of the Constitution to exercise his prerogative of mercy, issuing the pardons just a day before the end of his tenure. The reports further indicated that the President had pardoned individuals including William Ato Essien, who was convicted for his involvement in the collapse of Capital Bank. Essien, sentenced to 15 years in prison after defaulting on a GHS90 million fine, suffers from serious health conditions and has allegedly had multiple surgeries.
Other individuals allegedly included Philip Akpeena Assibit, convicted in 2018 for financial loss to the State, and Akwasi Alhassan, a convicted murderer who had been serving a life sentence after a 1993 conviction.
However, in a statement issued on January 6, 2025, Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Jubilee House clarified that the reports were inaccurate.
“We wish to categorically state that these assertions are inaccurate, and no pardon has been granted by President Akufo-Addo,” the statement read.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
