In a detailed statement released on December 4, 2025, the OSP’s Director of Strategy, Research and Communication, Samuel Appiah Darko, dismissed claims that the arrest was an act of retaliation or connected to previous allegations Kpebu made against the Special Prosecutor.

OSP: This Was Not an Isolated Incident

According to the OSP, Kpebu has a pattern of disrespecting security personnel and misrepresenting events to the public. Darko cited several past instances, including the lawyer’s retracted claim that there were “16 petitions” demanding the removal of the Special Prosecutor.

“It became clear that unless his interactions were recorded, he would consistently misrepresent the facts,” Darko stated.

What Led to the Confrontation

Providing a chronological account, the OSP explained that Kpebu arrived at the Cantonments headquarters on Monday and proceeded—as they claim he often does—to conduct an interview with media personnel just outside the entrance gate.

Security guards instructed him to move away from the gate, after which he relocated near a fried-yam vendor and continued speaking to journalists. Once he entered the compound, officers reminded him of the institution’s no-filming policy.

The OSP says the reminder was met with insults.

According to the statement, Kpebu allegedly told the guards:

• “You’re nobodies,”

• That he could act as he pleased, and

• Even suggested the Special Prosecutor, their superior, was “a nobody” who would soon be removed.

Despite a formal caution, the insults allegedly continued, leading to his arrest for obstructing officers in the performance of their lawful duties.

The OSP emphasised that the arrest was executed “without force” and that there is no internal record indicating that Kpebu was assaulted or mishandled.

OSP Denies Claims of Junior-Level Investigators

Kpebu earlier claimed that investigators handling his matter were of junior rank. The OSP rejected this, stating that officers of ranks equivalent to Deputy Commissioners of Police are leading the inquiry.

Drama After the Arrest

Kpebu was later granted bail, but the OSP claims that one of his lawyers created a disturbance, refusing to leave the premises until her client was brought before her.

“She insulted officers and caused a scene,” the statement said, adding that she was removed gently and without any force.

What Happens Next?

Martin Kpebu is expected to return to the OSP today at 11 a.m. to assist with ongoing investigations into the obstruction charge.

The OSP maintains that its actions were professional, justified, and fully compliant with the law.

source: GhanaWeb

This follows the filing of 78 charges against Ofori-Atta and seven others regarding their alleged involvement in the controversial agreements between the GRA and SML.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Thursday, November 20, the OSP announced that it would also seek court orders to serve charge sheets to accused individuals who are currently outside of Ghana.

According to the OSP, the charges filed on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, pertain to violations of Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).

A portion of the suit, filed at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra under case number CR/0106/2026, states:

“Conspiracy to commit the criminal offense of directly or indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract, contrary to Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).”

Those expected to face prosecution include former GRA Commissioners-General Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti. Manuel Kofi Nti; senior GRA officials Isaac Crentsil and Kwadwo Damoa; Ernest Akore, former Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance; Evans Adusei, owner of SML; and the company itself.

Speaking in an interview on The KSM Show, Mr. Agyebeng revealed that Mr. Ofori-Atta departed the country between January 1 and 3, 2025, just days before the change in administration, and long before the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had any operational control over security institutions, such as the Ghana Immigration Service.

“The main perpetrator had no intention of returning to the country. He left between January 1 and 3, before the 7th. We didn’t control the airports, and we had no cooperation from the other security agencies,” Mr. Agyebeng stated.

According to the Special Prosecutor, the OSP at the time faced “a policy of blocking” from key security agencies, including the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), the National Signals Bureau, and the Ghana Immigration Service.

“It was as if the security setup was stacked up against the OSP, so we would not be able to perform our job,” he lamented.

Mr. Kissi Agyebeng said that when he raised concerns about this lack of cooperation, his office received little support.

“We were powerless. We saw him leave, but couldn’t stop him, because no one at the airport would even respond to us. You call immigration, and no one would bother to answer. You write to them, no one would respond,” he revealed.

He added that circumstances have since improved, with the OSP now able to rely on key security institutions for collaboration.

“Now, we can rely on the Ghana Immigration Service and the National Security setup to block someone. But at the time, it was impossible,” he noted.

Touching on Mr. Ofori-Atta’s current whereabouts, the Special Prosecutor confirmed that the former Minister is believed to be residing in the United States.

However, he emphasised that the process of bringing him back to Ghana is legally complex and time-consuming.

“We believe he is in the United States and know the area where he lives. But we can’t just go there and bring him back. Extradition is a tedious process.

“Even if the U.S. central authority agrees, the President of the United States can intervene and stop it,” he explained.

Mr. Kissi Agyebeng said the OSP is working closely with the Attorney General’s Office on the matter, stressing that both institutions must act in unity to protect the Republic.

“We always work together with our Attorney General, and in turn, he should hold our hand. We are working for one Republic, one Ghana,” he said.

Background

The Office of the Special Prosecutor recently released its investigative findings into the multi-million cedi contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

The OSP concluded that the series of contracts signed between 2018 and 2021 was “needless, unlawful, and of no benefit to the Republic,” describing them as reckless abuses of public funds.

The report accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of being the “chief promoter and patron” of SML and said his actions unlawfully forced the company into Ghana’s revenue assurance system despite its lack of capacity.

Between 2018 and 2024, SML reportedly received over GH¢1.43 billion from the state despite performing little or no tangible work.

In an official statement released on Thursday, July 17, the OSP outlined multiple charges arising from a sweeping investigation launched in late 2024. The probe centered on the alleged diversion of public funds within Ghana’s petroleum sector.

According to the OSP, between 2022 and December 2024, Abdul-Hamid, Jacob Kwamina Amuah (then Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, UPFF), and Wendy Newman, an NPA staff member, conspired to extort illicit payments from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies.

“The scheme had no lawful mandate and exploited their regulatory positions at the NPA,” the OSP stated.

Over GH¢280,516,127.19 was allegedly collected under the pretense of regulatory activities. The statement detailed that Amuah personally handed GH¢24 million to Abdul-Hamid, while an additional GH¢227.2 million was funneled through Newman under Amuah’s directives.

Also Read: High Court Denies Nana Agradaa Bail Pending Appeal of 15-Year Sentence

Money Laundering Through Corporate Fronts

The remaining accused individuals—identified as directors of Kel Logistics, Kings Energy, and Propnest Ltd.—are alleged to have laundered the stolen funds through the acquisition of real estate, construction of fuel stations, and purchase of oil trucks. The OSP explained that these companies were created specifically to conceal the source of the illegal proceeds.

“These entities served as conduits to hide and clean criminal gains,” the report emphasized.

One of the key accused persons, Osei Tutu Adjei, a director of Kel Logistics, is reportedly on the run and currently being sought by authorities.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

All ten accused—comprising seven individuals and three companies—have been slapped with 25 charges. These include:

• Extortion by a Public Officer

• Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering

• Money Laundering

These offenses fall under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).

The accused are expected to appear before the High Court for their plea hearings in the coming days. The Special Prosecutor’s Office reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to prosecuting corruption-related crimes in Ghana.

“We are resolute in our pursuit of justice and will prosecute without fear or favour,” the OSP concluded.