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Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has expressed doubts over the charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, former Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) officials, and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
His concerns follow the filing of 78 charges against eight individuals linked to the controversial GRA–SML revenue assurance contracts. Those charged include former GRA Commissioners-General Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti, senior officials Isaac Crentsil and Kwadwo Damoa, former Finance Ministry Technical Advisor Ernest Akore, SML owner Evans Adusei, and SML itself.
The charges come after months of investigations during which the OSP said it uncovered alleged corruption, abuse of office, and procurement breaches in the contract’s award and execution. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has indicated that the evidence points to criminal conduct during the negotiation and approval processes.
But speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, November 18, Kpebu questioned the Special Prosecutor’s ability to successfully prosecute the former finance minister.
He argued that Agyebeng’s previous professional association with Ofori-Atta creates a conflict of interest and further criticised the inclusion of certain charges.
“Kissi Agyebeng allowed Ofori-Atta to escape, so I cannot trust him. If you look at some of the charges he has filed, he’s deliberately gambling with financial loss. Financial loss is not part of the OSP’s mandate,” Kpebu said.
He warned that if the financial loss charges do not stand in court, the entire case could be jeopardised.
He added, “I don’t trust the charges at all. I cannot trust Kissi Agyebeng; he once worked for Ofori-Atta. Ofori-Atta is his former client. Kissi worked for Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko same circle. Ask if Kissi Agyebeng ever attended a meeting with Ofori-Atta, and that man is going to prosecute Ofori-Atta? What a joke.”
