Parliament has summoned Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng to appear before the House following the arrest and overnight detention of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu, which sparked a heated debate and renewed calls for the abolition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The summons came after bipartisan anger on Thursday, with some MPs accusing the OSP of abusing its powers and warning that Parliament could repeal the law that established the office if such incidents continue.
Raising the matter in Parliament, South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor said Mr Kpebu was arrested on Wednesday after honouring an invitation from the OSP regarding corruption allegations he had made against the Special Prosecutor. He noted that the lawyer was detained late into the night despite voluntarily presenting himself, and was later granted what he called “onerous” bail conditions, including the requirement to produce landed property in his own name.
Mr Dafeamekpor accused the OSP of abusing its authority and urged the House to demand accountability from Mr Agyebeng, insisting he be made to explain why a citizen who cooperated with investigators was detained under what he described as “flimsy, whimsical circumstances.”
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga went further, arguing that the incident reinforces long-standing concerns that the OSP is ineffective and constitutionally flawed. He reiterated his position that the office should be abolished and anti-corruption efforts strengthened through the Attorney-General’s Department instead.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has previously suggested that the House should consider scrapping the OSP and reverting to traditional anti-corruption institutions.
According to accounts from the OSP and media reports, Mr Kpebu went to the OSP headquarters in Accra after receiving an invitation over allegations he had made publicly. Officials say a confrontation occurred at the gate when he exchanged insults with a security guard and allegedly refused to follow instructions. He was arrested for “obstruction of justice” under section 69 of the OSP Act and detained while his statement was taken.
The OSP has emphasized that although Mr Kpebu was arrested and informed of the offence being investigated, he has not been formally charged.
After his release, Mr Kpebu criticised the arrest as an unnecessary show of power and accused the OSP of weaponising its authority against critics. He has also indicated plans to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Special Prosecutor.
In response, the OSP denied acting vindictively. In a detailed statement, Director of Strategy, Research and Communications Sammy Darko said the incident had nothing to do with the corruption allegations raised by Mr Kpebu but stemmed solely from his conduct at the entrance. The office described his behaviour as part of a “pattern of misconduct,” accusing him of repeatedly refusing to cooperate and introducing new objections during interactions with investigators.
The OSP also rejected claims of assault and insisted that the detention and bail conditions followed standard procedure for obstruction-of-justice investigations.
Outside Parliament, governance analysts and civil society organisations have expressed concern. IMANI Africa Vice-President Kofi Bentil called for clarity on the legal basis for the arrest, noting that detaining a citizen who honoured an invitation raises significant questions about public trust in the institution.
Media commentary has debated whether the incident reflects deeper structural issues within the OSP or simply concerns Mr Kpebu’s own conduct. Some anti-corruption advocates caution that abolishing the office could weaken the broader fight against corruption even if reforms are necessary.
The OSP, created in 2017 and operational since 2018, is mandated to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences, particularly those involving politically exposed persons. While it has handled several high-profile cases, it has also faced criticism over legal challenges, questions about its independence and resources, and controversies such as the Cecilia Dapaah case.
Critics including Mr Ayariga argue that the latest incident confirms structural flaws, while supporters of the OSP maintain that dismantling it could undermine anti-corruption efforts.
Parliament has directed Mr Agyebeng to appear before the House to explain the circumstances surrounding Mr Kpebu’s arrest and respond to concerns about alleged abuse of power. Dates for his appearance are expected to be announced soon.
Some MPs say depending on his response, they may pursue a private member’s bill to repeal or amend the OSP Act, while others argue for stronger oversight rather than dismantling the office.
