‘Don’t interfere’- Martin Kpebu warns Mahama amid OSP legal battle

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has issued a strong warning to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him not to interfere in the ongoing legal controversy surrounding the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and its embattled leader, Kissi Agyebeng.

Speaking on TV3’s The KeyPoints, Kpebu alleged that some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been pleading with the President to “protect” and “save” Agyebeng. He cautioned Mahama against heeding such calls.

“Just like now, we are picking up a fight with JM that this over-protection of Kissi Agyebeng is not on. From all my indications, some CSOs went to see him, begging him to protect Kissi Agyebeng,” Kpebu said.

The outspoken lawyer insisted that the President should step aside and allow the law to take its natural course. He argued that the OSP, in its current form, is plagued by significant challenges that hinder its ability to fight corruption effectively.

“We say, no, let the law take its course, because the things against it are too many. There is only promotion of corruption, not a fight,” Kpebu added.

His comments follow a dramatic legal setback for the OSP. The High Court in Accra recently stripped the Office of its prosecutorial powers, directing the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, to take over all cases previously handled by the OSP until proper authorisation is granted.

The confusion stems from Section 4(2) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), which requires the Attorney General to authorise the OSP to initiate prosecutions. The Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem Sai, has filed arguments asking the Supreme Court to declare that provision unconstitutional, arguing that the OSP has been prosecuting cases since 2018 without the requisite authorisation.

Kpebu’s warning adds to mounting pressure on President Mahama as his administration navigates the future of the anti-corruption drive .