Corrupt NDC is afraid of OSP –Minority

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of neck-deep in corruption and, therefore, pursuing what it describes as a calculated effort to weaken and ultimately dismantle the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Addressing a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Select Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, said recent legal and political developments surrounding the anti-corruption body point to a deliberate and coordinated agenda rather than isolated incidents.

According to the Minority, the alleged campaign intensified in December 2025 following an incident involving private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu, a known critic of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, who was briefly detained at the OSP premises after a confrontation with security personnel.

The minority caucus claims the episode triggered political backlash that set in motion a series of actions aimed at weakening the institution.

Central to their claims is the introduction of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Repeal) Bill, 2025 which was laid before Parliament on December 8, 2025 by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.

The bill sought to abolish the OSP and transfer its functions to the Attorney-General’s Department.

Although the bill was later withdrawn amid public criticism and comments by President John Mahama, describing the move as premature, the minority insists the withdrawal did not signal a change in intent, but rather a shift in strategy.

“The repeal effort may have been abandoned in Parliament, but the objective remains,” the Minority asserted.

The minority caucus further pointed to a wave of petitions seeking the removal of the Special Prosecutor, reportedly numbering about 15, submitted to the Presidency.

However, it noted that the Chief Justice, after reviewing those referred to him, found no prima facie case to warrant further action.

Describing that outcome as a collapse of the petition strategy, the Minority said attention then shifted to the courts.

It cited a suit filed in December, 2025 challenging the constitutionality of the OSP’s prosecutorial powers.

Particularly concerning to the group, it said, is the position taken by the Attorney-General, whom they accuse of aligning with the plaintiff by arguing that Parliament acted unconstitutionally in granting the OSP independent prosecutorial authority under its establishing law.

The Minority also took issue with a recent High Court ruling delivered on April 15, 2026, which held that the OSP lacks the constitutional mandate to initiate prosecutions, nullified ongoing cases, and directed the Attorney-General to assume control of such matters.

In the view of the Caucus, the decision raises significant constitutional concerns, arguing that only the Supreme Court has the authority to interpret such matters.

“A subordinate court cannot assume the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court,” the Minority maintained, insisting that the law establishing the OSP remains valid until determined otherwise by the apex court.

Framing the matter as a test of the government’s commitment to accountability, the Minority accused the NDC of acting contrary to its anti-corruption pledges.

It argued that weakening an institution designed to operate independently of the Executive undermines efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in public office.

The group has, therefore, called for an immediate stay of execution of the High Court ruling, an expedited hearing of the constitutional case before the Supreme Court, and for the Attorney-General to appear before Parliament to clarify his position.

It also urged President Mahama to clearly state his stance on the future of the OSP. “The Supreme Court has not yet pronounced on this matter. Until it does, the Office of the Special Prosecutor remains in force,” the minority concluded.

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