Former Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has clarified the controversy surrounding the granting of a presidential pardon by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the final days of his administration.

According to him, although the process for pardoning the 12 individuals was initiated, no pardon was granted as widely reported following the leak of a document issued by the Office of the President to the Council of State.

In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme, Tuah-Yeboah explained that the document in question was intended for the Council of State’s advice regarding the individuals the president wished to pardon.

He noted that members of the Council of State objected to granting pardons to all the individuals listed in the document.

“These individuals submitted petitions. Those petitions were vetted, and then, because the president couldn't sit at the Jubilee House on his own to pardon people, he submitted a letter to the Council of State. The Council of State, on January 2, actually met the president as part of the consultation process. At the end of the consultation, it was decided that these individuals should not be pardoned.

"When news started circulating that the president had pardoned these individuals, the presidency issued a statement to clarify that no such decision had been taken by the president.

"The president consulted the Council of State, and at the end of the day, a decision was made not to pardon these individuals. Unfortunately, the letter forwarded to the Council of State was leaked. Instead of most people, including some media personnel, taking the time to review the letter, they concluded that the president had pardoned these individuals. However, that letter was clearly a request from the president to the Council of State as part of the consultation process. As of now, those individuals remain in prison," he clarified.

The letter from the Office of the President indicated that President Akufo-Addo, in line with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, wished to exercise his prerogative of mercy for the 11 convicted individuals. Akufo-Addo, according to the letter, asked the Council to expeditiously consider the individuals listed to enable him to act accordingly.

Below are the individuals on the list:

1. Akwasi Alhassan
Convicted of murder and sentenced to death on March 19, 1993, Alhassan has spent 31 years in prison. His sentence has now been commuted to life imprisonment by presidential order.

2. Beatrice Ofori
Convicted of human trafficking on June 6, 2023, and sentenced to eight years with hard labour, the 64-year-old suffers from severe hypertension, leading to significant mobility challenges. She has spent much of her sentence in the prison infirmary.

3. Frank Obeng
Sentenced to 40 years for manslaughter, Obeng is currently serving his term in Nsawam Prison. His sentence has been reduced to 12 years following the presidential pardon.

4. Stephen Nyarko
Convicted of conspiracy to rob and robbery in December 2010 and sentenced to 30 years, Nyarko has served 22 years, including time spent on remand. His pardon recognises the time already served.

5. Osman Inusah
Convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, Inusah was found not guilty of armed robbery. He faces mental health challenges, and his release is intended to allow proper care and management at home.

6. Joseph Nana Kwaku Boateng
Convicted of attempted export and possession of narcotic substances on May 28, 2019, and sentenced to 15 years, Boateng has served eight years, including five on remand. His pardon reflects his significant time served.

7. Emmanuel Adu Mensah
Convicted of possession of narcotics in April 2024 and sentenced to 15 years, Adu Mensah was serving his term at Nsawam Prison. His release recognises his circumstances and potential for reform.

8. William Ato Essien
Former CEO of the defunct Capital Bank, Essien was sentenced in October 2023 to 15 years’ imprisonment for financial crimes, including embezzling GH¢620 million in liquidity support from the Bank of Ghana. Despite agreeing to repay GH¢90 million as restitution to avoid incarceration, Essien failed to meet the terms. His pardon acknowledges the complexities of his case and its broader implications for the financial sector.

9. Kwabena Twum Ampofo
Convicted of possessing narcotics and sentenced to a 10-year prison term in April 2024. He is currently serving his term in Nsawam.

10. Alexander Nii Lante Lawson
Convicted of stealing and sentenced to a five-year prison term with hard labour, Lawson has served three years in prison, during which his health has deteriorated.

11. Philip Akpeena Assibit
Sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2018 for causing financial loss to the state due to his role in the National Youth Empowerment Programme. He has served six years in prison and is currently unwell, having pleaded for release due to his ill health.

Casually, isn’t it strange that there was a blanket rejection of the entire list? Isn’t it strange? This happened on the second. Yes, that was the consultation process.

Because the president had to consult the Council of State, the decision was reached that the requested pardons should not be granted. The requests were therefore denied.

BAI/MA

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