Martin Kpebu was detained by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after a confrontation linked to his public criticism of the OSP’s handling of the Ken Ofori-Atta investigations.
The incident reportedly stemmed from Kpebu’s persistent public criticism of what he describes as the OSP’s “unexplained delays” in concluding investigations into former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta over alleged corruption and conflict of interest in several high-profile financial transactions during the Agyapa royalties deal and other state financing arrangements.
[VIDEO] OSP detains Martin Kpebu over Ken Ofori-Atta allegations — Kpebu’s account of what transpired.
According to Kpebu, who spoke exclusively in a three-minute video recorded immediately after his release, he had visited the OSP offices to seek clarity on the status of the Ofori-Atta docket when an argument ensued with senior officials. He alleges that the confrontation escalated quickly, leading to his brief detention and questioning by OSP investigators. “I only asked legitimate questions that Ghanaians have been asking for years—why has the Ken Ofori-Atta case gone silent?” Kpebu stated, insisting that his detention was an attempt to intimidate citizens who demand accountability from state institutions.
The lawyer further accused the OSP leadership of selectively pursuing cases while shielding powerful political figures from the previous administration. He revealed that during his detention, officials allegedly warned him to “tread carefully” on matters involving former appointees of the Nana Akufo-Addo government. Kpebu has since vowed to escalate the matter, calling on civil society, the Ghana Bar Association and the general public to join him in demanding transparency and independence from the anti-corruption body established in 2018.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor is yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sources close to the OSP claim Kpebu became aggressive and disrupted normal operations, necessitating his temporary restraint. The development has reignited fierce debate about the OSP’s effectiveness and independence under Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, with many questioning whether the anti-graft agency is being weaponised against its critics rather than the corrupt.
As public reactions continue to pour in on social media, Martin Kpebu has promised to release full details of his encounter in the coming days, maintaining that no amount of intimidation will silence his advocacy for justice. The episode has once again placed the long-stalled investigations into Ken Ofori-Atta back in the national spotlight.
