Former Deputy Attorney-General Joseph Dindiok Kpemka has urged the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, to refrain from making certain comments, cautioning that they may be unnecessary if the goal is truly to combat corruption.
Kpemka expressed his concerns regarding certain allegations made by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) against the Judiciary, deeming them avoidable. He advised Agyebeng to carefully consider his statements.
As the NPP Parliamentary candidate for Tempane, Kpemka emphasized that before publicly addressing grievances with court rulings, the OSP should exhaust all legal avenues available. He stressed the importance of utilizing the full extent of the judicial process before casting aspersions on the bench.
During an interview on the KeyPoints program with Alfred Ocansey on Saturday, December 9, 2023, Kpemka, a legal practitioner, lamented the OSP’s approach, labeling it as unfortunate.
“I believe that some of the remarks made by him [Kissi Agyebeng] are unnecessary, and he needs to exercise caution. In legal matters, evidence is presented, and courts decide based on evidence and the law. If unsatisfied with a court’s decision, the next step is to appeal. Jumping to conclusions or insinuating conspiracies due to an unfavorable judgment is regrettable. Courts are there to interpret the law; if a judge errs, there are avenues for appeal,” Kpemka advised.
Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, called upon the Judiciary to refrain from impeding the OSP’s duties. He urged judges to impartially assess cases brought before them by the OSP.
During a media address on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Agyebeng emphasized the importance of presenting investigative findings as evidence in court. He cautioned against preventing investigations, citing potential dangers.
These statements followed a ruling by an Accra High Court that absolved a former Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Customs Division at the Ghana Revenue Authority of wrongdoing concerning the Labianca report, prompting the OSP to express disagreement with the decision, vowing not to let it stand.