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Tag: Kissi Agyabeng

  • Kissi Agyebeng is so desperate and corrupt – Martin Amidu

    Kissi Agyebeng is so desperate and corrupt – Martin Amidu

    Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu has made grave accusations against his successor, Kissi Agyebeng, asserting that Mr Agyebeng is attempting to shield mismanagement, corruption, and malpractices within the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from public scrutiny.

    Mr Amidu, a former anti-corruption crusader, contends that Agyebeng is resorting to desperate measures, including blackmailing the government and seeking support from opposition figures, to divert attention from the alleged wrongdoing within the OSP.

    According to Amidu, “The Special Prosecutor, William Kissi Agyebeng, is so desperate to protect the mismanagement, the culture of corruption, massive staff recruitment malpractices, and public procurement malpractices which have become pervasive and endemic within the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on the blind side of President Nana Akufo-Addo.”

    “Kissi Agyebeng has resorted to blackmailing the government and courting leading members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to create the impression that it is his appointing authority that is impeding his so-called fight against corruption.”

    Mr Amidu raised concerns about Mr Agyebeng’s inability to distance himself from suspected corruption within the OSP, particularly regarding recruitment corruption and public procurement malpractices, which the OSP is mandated to prevent, investigate, and prosecute.

    He cautions against allowing the suspected corruption within the OSP to undermine its fight against corruption and public procurement malpractices in Ghana.

    Mr Amidu also questioned Mr Agyebeng’s motivations in selectively reporting cases, particularly highlighting corruption charges against former NPP government appointees.

    He suggested that Agyebeng’s actions may be politically motivated, aiming to garner public sympathy by portraying the current government as hindering his anti-corruption efforts.

    “One wonders the reasons Kissi Agyebeng has for selectively causing a social media post on only former NPP Government appointees being tried for corruption and corruption-related offences as though corruption offences have political colourations.”

  • List by OSP reveals four former Akufo-Addo appointees in criminal trials for corruption

    List by OSP reveals four former Akufo-Addo appointees in criminal trials for corruption

    On December 13, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) released an updated list of former appointees under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo currently undergoing criminal trials.

    The social media post outlined four distinct cases involving a total of six individuals. Among them are a former sanitation minister, chief executives of significant state agencies, and a nominee for a prominent local-level office.

    Highlighting the longevity of these legal proceedings, the OSP indicated that the oldest case dates back to August 2021.

    The charges against these individuals primarily revolve around allegations of “corruption and corruption-related offences.”

    This disclosure sheds light on ongoing efforts to address corruption within the former administration, underscoring the commitment of the OSP to pursue legal action in such matters.

    “These cases are different from OSP interim applications, where the courts have barred the office from making arrests, conducting investigations, or seizing assets of the individuals implicated as suspects and respondents,” the OSP clarified in the post.

    Below are brief details of each of the respective cases:

    The Republic vs. Alexander Kwabena Sarfo Kantanka

    The prosecution has concluded presenting its case in the trial of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) nominee for Juaben in the Ashanti Region.

    The charges against him include 26 counts of corruption related to a public election. The court is set to decide on the defence’s ‘no case’ submission on January 23, 2024.

    In another case, titled “The Republic vs. Sumaila Abdul Rahman and 3 others,” the prosecution has wrapped up its case in the corruption scandal involving the Northern Development Authority.

    The former Chief Executive Officer, along with his two deputies and a private contractor, faces 11 charges related to a bloated contract for a poverty eradication program exceeding five million cedis.

    The prosecution called upon 10 witnesses during the proceedings. The defence is expected to submit their ‘no case’ response by January 4, 2024, with the prosecution set to respond by January 25, 2024. The case has been adjourned to February 12, 2024, for mention.

    The Republic vs. Adjenim Boateng

    The trial of the former Chief Executive of the Public Procurement Authority and his brother-in-law is ongoing before the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra.

    Mr. Adjei has been charged on multiple counts of using public office for profit and directly and indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of public contracts, while his brother-in-law, Francis Kwaku Arhin, has been charged with one (1) count of using public office for profit.

    Case adjourned to March 4, 2024 for the continuation of cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.

    The Republic vs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah

    [Refusal to declare property and income as demanded by the OSP]

    Plea of the accused yet to be taken. Docket has yet to be assigned to a new judge. The case was adjourned to December 22, 2023.

  • Special Prosecutor’s friend “from the mountains” taking bribes to influence cases – Amidu claims

    Special Prosecutor’s friend “from the mountains” taking bribes to influence cases – Amidu claims

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has been rocked by allegations of bribery, corruption and nepotism, according to a statement by the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu.

    Amidu, in a 15-page statement sighted by The Independent Ghana, accuses Agyebeng of crossing constitutional boundaries and defying Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

    In the statement, titled “Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, Has Crossed the Redline by Scandalizing the Administration of Justice and Must Be Impeached”, Amidu, who resigned from his position in November 2020, claimed that he received information and intelligence from informants and the media that a friend of the current Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, “from the mountains”, was demanding and receiving “bribes “consideration” from suspects under investigation by the OSP.

    Amidu said that the friend of Agyebeng, whose identity was not disclosed, was allegedly using the bribes to tamper with the preliminary and full investigations of the cases, and to influence the decisions to continue or drop the cases, and to prosecute or acquit the suspects in court. He said that this was a serious breach of the mandate and integrity of the OSP, which is supposed to investigate and prosecute corruption and corruption-related offences.

    “I do not know whether the Special Prosecutor knows that tongues have been wagging from informants and intelligence, and in the media that a friend of the Special Prosecutor from the mountains usually demands and receives considerations allegedly for the benefit of the OSP during the preliminary investigation and full investigations of case to tamper with the resultant threats to continue with the case and to prosecute the suspects in court,” he said.

    Amidu also alleged that some of the suspects who were under investigation by the OSP were either relatives or friends or former clients of Agyebeng or his staff, and that some of the cases were suppressed or delayed because of these connections. He said that some of the suspects who could not afford to pay bribes to the OSP’s friend or staff had to suffer long periods of incarceration, such as one Issah Seidu, who was arrested in February this year for failing to

    “Tongues have also been wagging that Issah Seidu had to suffer incarceration for long periods because his friends and relations at home and abroad could not raise considerations to meet demands from some staff of the OSP. Tongues are further wagging that there are completed investigation dockets in the OSP which are not moving forward because senior officials of the OSP, including its head, are either relatives or friends or former professional representatives of the suspects or have received considerations from the suspects,” he said.

    Amidu said that he raised these issues because of the invitation thrown to the public by Agyebeng to support the OSP in its work. He said that he wanted the OSP to be transparent and accountable and to address the issues raised at a media briefing. He said that he wanted to protect the integrity and independence of the OSP from becoming a rogue institution.

    Read the full text of Amidu’s statement below.

    Kissi Agyebeng, The Special… by The Independent Ghana



  • SP Kissi Agyebeng must be sacked! – Martin Amidu ‘demands’

    SP Kissi Agyebeng must be sacked! – Martin Amidu ‘demands’

    Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has called for the impeachment of the current Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, following the latter’s recent press conference on November 29, 2023.

    Amidu, in a 15-page statement sighted by The Independent Ghana, accuses Agyebeng of crossing constitutional boundaries and defying Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

    The statement, titled “Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, Has Crossed the Redline by Scandalizing the Administration of Justice and Must Be Impeached: By Martin A. B. Amidu,” points out that Agyebeng’s press conference aimed to incite the media and the public against the judicial branch, undermining the foundation of the constitution.

    Amidu asserts, “The press conference called by the Special Prosecutor… crossed the red line of freedom of speech and expression to subvert the letter and spirit of the foundation of the 1992 Constitution.” He further accuses Agyebeng of abusing and scandalizing the court, violating the constitution, and failing in the duty to protect the independence, dignity, and effectiveness of the courts.

    Amidu argues that Agyebeng, as a public officer, violated Article 127 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the judiciary. He highlights that Agyebeng’s conduct is inconsistent with the constitutional duty to protect the judiciary.

    The statement contends that Agyebeng intentionally brought undue pressure on judges, violating the constitution and tarnishing the judiciary’s reputation. Amidu compares Agyebeng’s actions to what would warrant disciplinary proceedings for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Amidu concludes by urging patriotic citizens to invoke Section 15(3) of Act 959 for Agyebeng’s removal, stating, “There is no way Ghana is going to survive should Kissi Agyebeng succeed in using public funds and resources to incite the public to bring the image and integrity of the judiciary down.”

    In response to Agyebeng’s concerns about the courts’ actions impacting Ghana’s fight against corruption, Amidu dismisses them as an attempt to instigate the public and media against the judiciary. He labels Agyebeng’s appointment by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as one of the president’s worst appointments.

    Kissi Agyebeng’s press conference on November 29, 2023, addressed ongoing investigations, challenges faced by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), and setbacks in court.

    Agyebeng emphasized the court’s role in interpreting laws, criticized its interference with OSP investigations, and highlighted efforts to enhance the office’s capacity and efficiency.

    He called for public support and emphasized the OSP’s commitment to combating corruption.

    You can read the full text of Amidu and Agyebeng’s statement below

    Kissi Agyebeng, The Special Prosecutor, Has Crossed the Redlines by Scandalizing the Administration of Just… by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Media Briefing by Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng on 29 November 2023 by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

  • You don’t have the power to solicit taxes for government – Importers & Exporters to OSP

    You don’t have the power to solicit taxes for government – Importers & Exporters to OSP

    The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has declined the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) request for access to the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) platforms operating at the ports.

    According to the Importers and Exporters, the ICUM platform contains valuable and sensitive data of importers and exporters as well as business operators, hence any breaches caused to the platform in the name of data access could prove futile to the business community.

    Speaking to Starr News, the Executive Secretary for Importer and Exporters Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit indicated that the OSP can make such a request if there is a report made to him that needs investigation or he has picked intelligence on the ICUM that he wants to investigate that will be understandable.

    “Because we strongly believe that the OSP office was not established to do clarification and valuation and collect duty on behalf of the State. In Ghana we use laws and that is why the Office of the Special Prosecutor was established by an ACT of Parliament. It is the same law that established the GRA and that is a globally custom issue of the GRA to be able to collect freight and duty for and on behalf of the government of Ghana not the Special Prosecutor.

    “The Special Prosecutor’s duty is to investigate allegations and corruption practices and I strongly believe that he requesting that they put him on the ICUM system, his mandate is not to do clarifications and collect duties for the government,” Mr. Asaki Awingobit stated.

    He further stated that the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has been a propagator of best business practices and will support any move by the OSP to ensure the Port sector is free from corrupt practices.

    “However, we also demand for clarity in the discharge of its duties to attract the needed support from industry players,” he stated.

  • Do not hesitate to prosecute presidential staff when probing galamsey – Clement Apaak to OSP

    Do not hesitate to prosecute presidential staff when probing galamsey – Clement Apaak to OSP

    A member of parliament representing Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, has urged Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng to look into any claims of suspected galamsey involving presidential staff.

    Even if the investigation may involve President Akufo-Addo, the MP maintains that the OSP should not be hesitant to proceed.

    Dr Clement Apaak was responding to allegations made by former Environment Minister Prof. Frimpong Boateng that some officials at the seat of government are involved in illegal mining.

    He stated that the OSP should launch an investigation into the matter right away because Prof. Frimpong Boateng has not left Ghana. He is currently in the country. He has not gone underground. He is alive and well, and I believe that completing the investigation will aid us in uncovering the truth”.

    Dr. Apaak says we cannot live in a country where the same government pretending to be fighting galamsey including, the President, Vice President and public officials who are paid with taxpayers’ money to protect Ghanaians, our river bodies, our water bodies, our forest against illegal mining, are the ones who are engaged in the criminal act.

    He emphasised that Ghanaians cannot accept this criminal act, especially when people in positions of power are involved.

    He asserted that it is clear that the Akugo-Addo, Bawumia and NPP government has a deliberate policy to sabotage requisite constitutional and state agencies mandated to investigate acts of corruption and allegations of corruption.

    He said the same thing happened to Martin Amidu, who was denied the needed resources and information to produce acts of corruption.

    To that end, he has asked Ghanaians, civil society groups, labour unions, and well-meaning Ghanaians to demand that the government make the resources available for this investigation to be conducted; otherwise, the government will have no choice. But if we don’t, I’m afraid nothing will happen.

    He alleged that this government has either compromised our anti-corruption state bodies or denied them information and resources to work.

    ”That is why our democracy is endangered. Do you remember how the president cleared Akonta Mining when the OSP was investigating the matter? The President is known as the clearing agent. That is what he does.

    “If OSP is not up to the task, then we could look up to CHRAJ. I expect some citizens to file complaints at these institutions and demand a probe into the matter.”

  • OSP apprehends 4 over failure to declare sources of income

    OSP apprehends 4 over failure to declare sources of income

    The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyabeng, has arrested and charged four persons over their failure to comply and declare their sources of income in contravention.

    Their failure to comply with the directive is in breach of regulation 20 of LI2374.

    They are; Issah Seidu, James Keck Osei, John Abban and Peter Archibald Hyde.

    “Mr. Siedu works with National Insurance Commission, James works with Office of the Vice President as an administrator and John and Peter are senior Officers with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority,” OSP indicated in a tweet on Friday.

    According to the OSP, “the accused are suspects under investigation in respect of corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the importation from Thailand and auction processes of 250 metric tons of Lele rice.”

    The OSP noted that the accused “are due to appear before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra on Monday, 13 February 2023.”

    Source: Ghanaweb