Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu was detained by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on Wednesday following a confrontation with security personnel at the agency’s premises, according to Sammy Darko, Director of Strategy, Research and Communications at the OSP. The detention occurred when Kpebu arrived at the OSP compound to respond to an invitation regarding corruption allegations he recently made against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.
In a Facebook post, Darko stated that Kpebu has a history of improper conduct toward OSP staff and has repeatedly misrepresented facts in public statements. Having monitored his conduct for some time, it became clear that unless his interactions were recorded, he would misrepresent the facts, the director explained.
The incident unfolded when security personnel instructed Kpebu to move away from the entrance and reminded him that photography and videography were prohibited on the premises. Darko alleged that Kpebu reacted angrily, insulted the guards, and made disparaging remarks about Special Prosecutor Agyebeng, reportedly telling the guards they were nobodies and even their boss is a nobody who will be removed soon.
The confrontation escalated when Kpebu refused to comply with the security instructions, prompting his arrest for obstruction of officers performing their lawful duties. The OSP emphasized that the arrest was carried out without force and that Kpebu was granted bail following standard procedures, requiring proof of landed property and one surety.
He was not denied access to legal counsel or due process during his brief detention and transfer to a secured holding area, according to the OSP. However, when his legal team returned to complete the bail process, they discovered he was no longer in custody, having already been released.
Speaking to TV3 after his release, Kpebu described his detention as needless and insisted he had committed no offence. He confirmed an exchange with a military officer at the OSP, stating that the military officer said he was stupid, and he responded in kind, adding that they exchanged words.
Kpebu accused Agyebeng of incompetence and described the arrest as a suicide mission that Kissi Agyebeng’s OSP has embarked on, insisting the Special Prosecutor bears responsibility as head of the institution. He maintained that he did nothing that warrants an arrest and kept his spirits high throughout the ordeal.
The lawyer has repeatedly questioned the OSP’s internal processes, demanding an independently constituted committee to investigate his corruption allegations. They kept making me appear before subordinates, and subordinates can’t investigate their boss, it’s incompetence, Kpebu said, arguing that officers who report directly to Agyebeng cannot conduct an impartial investigation.
Darko rejected claims that the OSP had fallen into a trap, stressing that the agency acted strictly within legal and procedural bounds to protect its personnel and maintain order. The claim that the OSP fell into a trap is unfounded, he stated, adding that connections, public influence, or media prominence do not place anyone above the law.
Kpebu is expected to report again on Thursday for further investigations related to obstruction of justice. A separate date will be announced to continue the inquiry into his prior allegations of corruption against the office, according to the OSP.
The arrest has drawn criticism from several prominent figures. Francis Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament for Madina and human rights lawyer, called for parliamentary intervention, describing the circumstances as unacceptable and a threat to citizens’ rights. Any Ghanaian who is exercising his free right, who has not breached any law, cannot be subjected to what Martin has been subjected to, Sosu told TV3.
Sosu questioned why the OSP was leading investigations into allegations made against the office and its head, describing the development as a breach of natural justice. If allegations are made against you, you cannot investigate yourself, you will be a judge in your own cause, he stressed, suggesting such matters should be referred to independent bodies like the Police Professional Standards Bureau.
Kofi Bentil, Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, also criticized the arrest, saying the incident reflects a growing trend of intolerance toward free expression in Ghana. Reacting on Facebook, Bentil stated that Kpebu had become the victim of an administration which has criminalized free speech, warning that recent arrests linked to public commentary were patently unconstitutional.
Look around, people are being arrested all over for what they say, Bentil wrote, cautioning that the pattern undermines democratic norms and the constitutional guarantee of free expression. His remarks add to growing public debate over the OSP’s handling of high-profile cases and perceived tensions between law enforcement powers and civil liberties.
Kpebu has in recent weeks intensified his criticism of Agyebeng, accusing him of contradicting himself in matters involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta. The lawyer has also been vocal about the OSP’s handling of other high profile investigations, claiming the office failed to properly follow key procedural steps.
The OSP has not publicly responded to the criticism from Sosu, Bentil, or Kpebu’s post release statements. The development comes amid growing tension between Kpebu and the OSP, with the lawyer having openly criticized the Special Prosecutor’s handling of corruption cases and procedural matters.
