Abolish OSP, Give Its Powers to AG — Parliament

Both the Majority and Minority Caucuses in Parliament have called for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to be abolished and its powers transferred to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

Their call followed the detention of private legal practitioner, Mr. Martin Kpebu, by the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, on Wednesday for five hours before being released.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, the Majority Leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, described the OSP as unfit for purpose, noting that it had failed to secure any prosecution since its establishment. He said that he and the members of the Majority (then the Minority) had opposed the proposal to establish the OSP, viewing it as unconstitutional, but their concerns were not addressed.

“There are major cases of clear corruption, but to date, the OSP has not been able to do anything. If the institution of the Attorney-General, as established in our Constitution, is adequately resourced, protected, and held accountable by Parliament, I believe that office will equally deliver,” Mr. Ayariga said.

The Majority Chief Whip, Mr. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, stated that Parliament would invite Mr. Agyebeng to brief the House on his reasons for detaining Mr. Kpebu.

The Minority Caucus supported the call for the OSP to be abolished and for Mr. Agyebeng to be invited to Parliament. However, they also suggested that invitations be extended to other security agencies, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

According to the Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the OSP’s action reflected a broader culture in investigative and law enforcement agencies. He alleged that these agencies often detain individuals and impose “onerous bail conditions” on those cooperating in criminal investigations.

Mr. Nkrumah added that the Minority had repeatedly raised concerns about such practices on various platforms and on the floor of Parliament. “The Minority Leader, Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has consistently highlighted that investigative bodies are weaponising their powers and imposing onerous bail conditions. But because it has not happened to the Majority Caucus, they don’t complain,” he said.

The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, also criticized the continued allocation of large budgets to the OSP. He described the expenditure as unjustifiable given the office’s performance and reminded the House of earlier warnings regarding the OSP’s legal foundation and effectiveness.

BY BENJAMIN
ARCTON-TETTEY

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