Hot!
Court accepts Ato Essien’s GH¢90m repayment terms
An Accra High Court has modified its place and accepted the GH¢90 million repayment terms on Ato Essien’s restitution deal.
The Court presided over by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour final week rejected the settlement deal between state prosecutors and the embattled founding father of now-defunct Capital Bank, Ato Essien.
Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, a Justice of Appeal, sitting as a further High Court Judge, rejected the settlement, indicating that the quantity agreed to be paid was not adequate, and adjourned the case to December 13 for the events to handle the court docket on the authorized foundation of the terms of the settlement.
Ato Essien and two others have been on trial for the previous three years for his or her involvement within the collapse of Capital Bank. The prosecution had additionally accused Mr. Essien of misappropriating GH¢620 million liquidity assist prolonged by the Bank of Ghana to assist hold the financial institution afloat.
The prosecution and the accused in arriving on the settlement informed the court docket they got here underneath part 35 of the Courts Act, 1993, Act 459 (as amended). The provision states as follows:
“(1) Where a person is charged with an offence before the High Court or a Regional Tribunal, the commission of which has caused economic loss, harm or damage to the State or any State agency, the accused may inform the prosecutor whether the accused admits the offence and is willing to offer compensation or make restitution and reparation for the loss, harm or damage caused.”
Justice Kyei Baffour was sceptical in regards to the software of part 35 of the Courts Act to the current case, as he famous that the monies concerned belonged to depositors and shareholders of the defunct financial institution and never the state per se.
By the proposed settlement, Mr. Essien agreed to pay GH₵90 million in complete: GH₵30 million as we speak and GH₵60 million by instalment to the state.
But the court docket was sad with the association.
The decide additionally thought that the timing for the announcement of the deal was not one of the best, as he was able to ship his judgement.
Background
Mr. Essien is standing trial along with the previous Managing Director of the Bank, Rev. Fitzgerald Odonkor, and a former Managing Director of MC Management Service, Tetteh Nettey, additionally owned by Mr. Ato Essien.
Together, they have been tried on 23 counts of criminality, together with conspiracy to steal and stealing in reference to the collapse of Capital Bank in 2017.
They nonetheless pleaded not responsible to the costs and maintained their innocence all all through the trial, with Mr. Ato Essien sustaining in any respect materials moments that he had Board approval for all actions he took.
Section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459)
(1) Where an individual is charged with an offence earlier than the High Court or a Regional Tribunal, the fee of which has prompted financial loss, hurt or harm to the State or any State company, the accused could inform the prosecutor whether or not the accused admits the offence and is prepared to supply compensation or make restitution and reparation for the loss, hurt or harm prompted.
(2) Where an accused makes a suggestion of compensation or restitution and reparation, the prosecutor shall contemplate if the provide is suitable to the prosecution.
(3) If the provide just isn’t acceptable to the prosecution the case earlier than the Court shall proceed.
(4) If the provide is suitable to the prosecution, the prosecutor shall within the presence of the accused, inform the Court which shall contemplate if the provide of compensation or restitution and reparation is passable.
(5) Where the Court considers the provide to be passable, the Court shall settle for a plea of responsible from the accused and convict the accused on his personal plea, and in lieu of passing sentence on the accused, make an order for the accused to pay compensation or make restitution and reparation.
(6) An order of the Court underneath subsection (5) shall be topic to such situations because the Court could direct.
(7) Where an individual convicted underneath this part defaults within the fee of any cash required of the individual underneath this part or fails to fulfil any situation imposed by the Court underneath subsection (6), any quantity excellent shall grow to be due and payable and upon failure to make the fee, the Court shall proceed to cross a custodial sentence on the accused. [As substituted by the Courts (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 620), s.4]
Source: citinewsroom.com
Firefighters from the Upper West Regional Command have responded to a vehicular incident involving a long vehicle carrying 35 Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) reportedly containing hydrogen peroxide at Goriyiri in the Nadowli-Kaleo District.
The five-member crew, led by ASTNO Balagee, reported to the scene where a fire and an explosion had reportedly occurred.
The firefighters assessed the scene, identified the chemical hazards and implemented appropriate response measures, bringing the situation under control.
The driver reportedly sustained severe chemical burns and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
