Private legal practitioner and anti-corruption advocate, Martin Kpebu has launched fresh allegations against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), claiming that the anti-graft institution has itself become riddled with corruption.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points programme on Saturday, Mr. Kpebu asserted that the OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, is now “a crime scene” due to what he described as multiple brewing corruption scandals within the office.
“There are lots of corruption cases that are brewing in the OSP itself. The Office of the Special Prosecutor has become a crime scene, okay? And I’m telling this to you on authority—let’s go conduct a poll in the OSP office today and you will see the myriad of allegations against Kissi,” he asserted.
He disclosed plans to submit a formal petition seeking the removal of Mr. Agyebeng from office, accusing him of betraying the people of Ghana in the national fight against corruption.
House-Helps on Payroll?
Mr. Kpebu questioned the integrity of certain employment practices at the OSP, alleging that some individuals serving as house helps in Mr. Agyebeng’s residence were also listed on the OSP’s payroll.
“I want Kissi Agyebeng to answer these questions: Are there true employees of the OSP who are currently working as househelps in his home? Are they true members of staff—meanwhile they are on the OSP’s payroll?” he asked.
The outspoken lawyer also challenged the Special Prosecutor to publicly clarify the identity of an individual he referred to as Kwabena Boateng Adu, popularly known as Santa Baron, said to be associated with the OSP.
“Kissi Agyebeng should tell the people of Ghana who is Kwabena Boateng Adu, popularly called Santa Baron,” Mr. Kpebu demanded.
Mr. Kpebu’s latest outburst follows recent comments by Mr. Agyebeng, who revealed that he was aware former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was leaving the country but could not stop him due to the OSP’s limited operational powers at the time.
Speaking on The KSM Show, the Special Prosecutor explained that his office was not negligent but “powerless” to act.
“We didn’t watch him leave; we were powerless. That is the truth. We saw him leave, but we couldn’t prevent him from leaving the airport,” Mr. Agyebeng said.
He added that the situation had since improved, with the OSP now enjoying stronger collaboration from the security agencies.
‘Betrayal of Public Trust’
Mr. Kpebu, however, dismissed Mr. Agyebeng’s explanation, describing it as a “betrayal of public trust.”
“You betray the people of Ghana like this and expect to stay on? Laa ilaha! So Prof. Gyampo was right when he said Kissi Agyebeng is not the conscience of the nation. Gyampo, come for your stone. I’m gobsmacked. What a sin thing,” he wrote in a Facebook post sighted by THE ARCHIVES.
He further accused the Special Prosecutor of shirking his constitutional duty by failing to alert relevant agencies such as the Office of Research and Analysis (ORAL) when Mr. Ofori-Atta reportedly left the country.
“ORAL was working when Ken Ofori-Atta left, yet Kissi didn’t see fit to alert ORAL that KOA was about to flee. ORAL had security capos who could help. No press conference either. And you think you have a Special Prosecutor? WALAHI TALAHI, we are finished—but before then, Kissi must leave that office first. This is just a tip of the iceberg,” he charged.
Calls for Accountability
The legal practitioner insisted that the Special Prosecutor had failed to uphold the constitutional principle that sovereignty resides in the people, citing Articles 1, 35, and 125 of the 1992 Constitution.
“What happens to the Constitution—sovereignty resides in the people, in the preamble, Articles 1, 35 and 125? WALAHI, this one dei… You see the forever effect Martin Amidu got when he blew the whistle on Akufo-Addo through the Agyapa deal—the ‘mother serpent of corruption’ saga,” he said.
Mr. Kpebu urged Mr. Agyebeng to emulate his predecessor, Martin Amidu, and act boldly in the face of political pressure.
“The OSP is not for timorous souls. We need bold spirits. Is Kissi Agyebeng an enemy of progress in the fight against corruption?” he quizzed.
About the OSP
The Office of the Special Prosecutor was established in 2018 as an independent body to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offenses involving public officers and politically exposed persons. Kissi Agyebeng was appointed as Special Prosecutor in August 2021, succeeding Martin Amidu, who resigned in November 2020.
