We’re witnessing a coordinated effort by NDC to weaken OSP – Minority

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of orchestrating a coordinated effort to weaken 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 point to a deliberate attempt to undermine the anti-corruption institution.

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

The group argued that the incident triggered a series of actions, including 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 Although it was later withdrawn following public backlash and remarks by President John Dramani Mahama describing the move as premature, the Minority insists the intention has not changed.

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

The Minority also referenced about 15 petitions submitted to the Presidency seeking the removal of the Special Prosecutor. It noted that the Chief Justice, after reviewing the petitions, found no prima facie case to warrant further action.

Following that development, the Minority said attention shifted to the courts, citing a constitutional challenge filed in December 2025 against the OSP’s prosecutorial powers.

It further accused the Attorney-General of aligning with arguments that Parliament acted unconstitutionally in granting the OSP independent prosecutorial authority.

The caucus also pointed to a High Court ruling delivered on April 15, 2026, which held that the OSP lacks constitutional mandate to initiate prosecutions, nullified ongoing cases, and directed the Attorney-General to take over such matters.

However, the Minority maintained that only the Supreme Court has authority to interpret such constitutional matters.

“A subordinate court cannot assume the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court,” it stressed.

The group called for a stay of execution of the ruling, an expedited Supreme Court hearing, and clarification from the Attorney-General before Parliament.

It also urged President John Dramani Mahama to state his position on the future of the OSP, warning that weakening the institution undermines Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.