Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has been detained by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after a disagreement over the team assigned to investigate allegations he made against the Special Prosecutor.
Kpebu arrived at the OSP on Wednesday in response to an invitation. He was expected to assist with an inquiry linked to his public claims that the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, had mishandled certain investigations.
According to his lawyers, the visit took a sharp turn when Kpebu objected to the investigative panel set up to handle his complaint, arguing that officers who report directly to the Special Prosecutor could not investigate their own boss fairly.
Moments later, he was placed under arrest.
The OSP said he had obstructed an officer during the process. His team rejects the claim. They say the incident stemmed from a brief exchange at the entrance when Kpebu spoke to journalists before entering the building.
He was granted bail under conditions that included proof of a landed property and a surety. But when his lawyers returned to complete the process, they said he was no longer at the OSP’s office and that they were not told where he had been taken.
The OSP has not yet issued a public statement on the detention or on the next steps in the matter.
The arrest comes after weeks of tension between Kpebu and the Special Prosecutor. In November, Kpebu led a protest in Accra calling for Mr Agyebeng’s removal, accusing him of failing to deliver on his anti-corruption mandate.
The case has raised concerns among civil society groups and some legal observers. They fear the arrest could discourage lawyers, activists and whistleblowers who speak out about perceived institutional failures.
Kpebu’s legal team says it is seeking clarity on his status and location as the dispute with the OSP deepens.
