The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has pushed back strongly against claims surrounding the arrest of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu, releasing a detailed account of what transpired on Wednesday and insisting that it acted strictly within the law.
In a statement issued by Sammy Darko, Director of Strategy, Research and Communications at the OSP, the office said suggestions that it was lured into a “trap” are baseless and that the only thing at play was the enforcement of lawful instructions on its premises.
According to the OSP, Wednesday’s confrontation was merely the latest in what it describes as a pattern of misconduct by Kpebu toward its security personnel. The office accused the lawyer of repeatedly misrepresenting events in the media and cited past occasions where his public claims did not match the facts.
The OSP referenced Kpebu’s earlier assertion that there were “16 petitions” calling for the removal of the Special Prosecutor — a claim he later admitted was unverified. “It is worrying that a lawyer would make such a statement without checking the facts,” the statement noted.
The OSP stressed that the tension at its gate on Wednesday had nothing to do with the internal inquiry into the corruption allegations Kpebu has levelled against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.
The office accused Kpebu of deliberately frustrating the investigative process by refusing to cooperate, repeatedly demanding the removal of certain investigators, and introducing “new obstacles” even after earlier demands were met.
It also dismissed Kpebu’s public claim that his case is being handled by “junior officers,” stating that the investigators assigned are of a rank equivalent to Deputy Commissioners of Police.
In its account of the incident, the OSP said Kpebu arrived at the premises and, as he often does, stopped at the gate to engage journalists. Security officers cautioned him not to obstruct the entrance and reminded him that photography within the premises was prohibited.
The OSP claims the situation escalated when Kpebu reacted angrily to the reminder and insulted the guards. He allegedly told them they were “nobodies” and that even their boss “would be removed soon.”
According to the office, his behaviour amounted to obstruction, leading to his arrest. “The arrest was executed without force, and at no point was he assaulted,” the statement stressed.
The OSP said Kpebu was granted bail in line with standard procedure, but accused one of his lawyers of creating a scene, verbally abusing officers and refusing to leave the premises. The office said her conduct was recorded and that officers maintained professionalism throughout.
Kpebu was later transferred to a secured holding area, which the OSP described as normal administrative processing.
Responding to claims circulating on social media that Kpebu’s actions were part of a planned “trap,” the OSP said it refused to be drawn into political gamesmanship.
“The Office has not fallen for any trap,” the statement said. “It has simply applied the law to protect its personnel and maintain order. Public influence or media prominence does not place anyone above the law.”
The OSP questioned whether similar behaviour would be tolerated at the Police Headquarters or the National Intelligence Bureau.
Kpebu is expected to report again this morning at 11 a.m. for further investigations into the offence of obstruction. A separate date will be scheduled for the continuation of the inquiry into his corruption allegations against the Special Prosecutor.
