This is contained in a new document submitted by the inmate’s lawyer challenging the decision of the High Court of December 13, 2022.
On that date, a High Court presided over by Justice Eric Kyei Baffuor sentenced Mr. Essien after he pleaded guilty to theft and promised to repay over GHC90 million.
Therefore, the court accepted the terms of Mr. Essien’s agreement with the state represented by the Attorney General.
Mr. Essien was ordered to pay the sum of GH₵90 million in restitution and reparations to the state within one year spread over three installment plans.
However, they have already paid the initial sum of GH₵30 million. On April 28, 2023, he will have to pay some GH₵20million to the state as the first installment, while the second will be paid on August 31, 2023.
Mr. Essien should be arrested and brought to court for a custodial sentence, if he is unable to pay or even lose the required amount.
But Mr. Essien in a recent court document but indicated that the current economic challenges should be allowed to explain the standards before the step is taken.
William Ato Essien, Pastor Fitzgerald Odonkor, and Tetteh Nettey, former managing director of MC Management Service, owned by Mr. Essien, are accused of participating in a 23-count conspiracy to steal GH₵620 million of liquidity support that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) provided to banks to help pay off maturing debts.