A group of citizens, led by Apostle Abraham Lincoln Larbi and lawyer Martin Kpebu, has protested in Accra to demand the removal of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng. The protesters argue that he has failed in his duties and want President John Mahama to either fire him or shut down the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) entirely.
The main complaint centers on the Special Prosecutor’s statements about former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. Martin Kpebu, speaking to the media, accused Mr. Agyebeng of not telling the truth to Ghanaians. He claimed the SP lied about seeking help from state institutions to arrest Mr. Ofori-Atta before he left the country.
Kpebu listed several claims he says have been proven false. He stated that the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), Immigration Service, and National Security all denied the SP’s requests for assistance. “When your Special Prosecutor comes to lie to Ghanaians… that alone is sufficient grounds for him to resign,” Kpebu stressed.
He also referred to Ghana’s constitution, explaining that ultimate power belongs to the people. He argued that if state agencies were frustrating the SP, Mr. Agyebeng should have reported directly to the Ghanaian public instead of making false claims.
Apostle Larbi echoed these concerns, urging the President to act quickly to restore public trust in the fight against corruption. He warned that the group would intensify its actions if no steps are taken.
The protesters submitted a formal petition to the Presidency. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim received it, praising the group for their peaceful demonstration and assuring them that the President supports citizens’ right to express their views.
How the Removal of a Special Prosecutor Works
The process to remove a Special Prosecutor is set by law. It begins with a petition to the President. The President must then refer the petition to the Chief Justice within seven days. The Chief Justice has 30 days to determine if there is a strong initial case. If so, a committee is formed to investigate and make a recommendation to the President within 90 days. The President is then required to act on this final recommendation.
