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Dr. Mensah Otabil, founder and general overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), has been silent regarding William Ato Essien’s conviction for his role in the collapse of Capital Bank.
The pastor, after the state decided not to press charges against him and Ato Essien for the theft of Ghs192.5 million of depositors’ monies while they held the positions of Board Chairman and founder, respectively.
READ ALSO: Comparing me with Amerado is like comparing Mensah Otabil to Kumchacha – Obibini
Pastor Otabil has continued with his regular schedule after his conviction, publishing sermons (up to Episode 972) titled Scepter of Israel.
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If the priest was really complicit in the misappropriation of Bank of Ghana liquidity assistance while serving as Board Chairman, it is unclear if a future administration would revisit the issue.
Stealing Conviction
William Ato Essien, founder of the now-defunct Capital Bank, escaped jail time in exchange for paying the government Ghs90 million.
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Essien was able to stay out of jail after he and the prosecution reached a deal in which Essien would pay the government GH90 million in reparations. The case was presided over by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour.
READ ALSO: Otabil never resigned, he excused himself – National Cathedral Secretariat
Essien pled guilty as part of the deal and was subsequently convicted on 16 charges of theft and money laundering.
Graphic Online‘s reporter, Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson, who was in the courtroom reports that the other accused persons – Fitzgerald Odonkor – a former MD of Capital Bank and Tettey Nettey, the CEO of a company said to be controlled by Essien, were acquitted and discharged after they were found not guilty.
READ ALSO: Europeans and Americans would soon rush to Africa to find jobs – Pastor Mensa Otabil
As part of the agreement, Essien who pleaded guilty to stealing Ghs192.5million of depositors’ funds, has already paid GHs30m to the state and will pay the remaining Ghs60million by the end of 2023.
This is to be paid in three installments of GH¢20m each.
In accordance with Section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), the presiding judge approved the arrangement, which permits defendants on trial for inflicting monetary loss to the state to pay the money and maybe escape a jail term.
READ ALSO: Death prophecies holding us back, it’s destroying Christianity- Pastor Mensah Otabil
If Essien does not make the payments as ordered by the court (first on April 28, 2023, then on August 31, and finally on December 15, 2023) he would be sent to jail.
Since Essien pleaded guilty, Justice Kyei Baffour has ruled that he is unable to serve as a director of any bank or financial organization under the Banking and Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016. (Act 930).
In addition, the judge had the court registrar hold Essien’s passport hostage until the money was paid.
A portion of text culled from mynewsgh.com