- Chief Justice dismisses petition to remove Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.
- Petition by Martin Amidu lacked sufficient evidence and legal grounds.
- Chief Justice found no prima facie case for Agyebeng's removal.
- Dismissal is a blow to Amidu's efforts to remove Agyebeng.
The Chief Justice, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has dismissed a petition seeking the removal of Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, from office. The petition was submitted by Martin Amidu, the former Special Prosecutor, on April 30, 2024, and was forwarded to the Chief Justice on May 6, 2024.
In the petition, Amidu alleged serious malfeasance, including procurement breaches in the purchase of vehicles for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and egregious abuses of power involving judges and the administration of justice. He claimed that these allegations warranted the removal of Agyebeng from office.
However, the Chief Justice found the petition to be lacking in merit, leading to its dismissal. According to sources, the Chief Justice determined that the petition failed to provide sufficient evidence and legal grounds to support the allegations. The Chief Justice concluded that the petition lacked the necessary factual and legal foundation to warrant further investigation or action. This decision was communicated to Amidu in a letter dated July 2, 2024.
In the letter, the Presidency informed Amidu that the Chief Justice had reviewed the petition and determined that it did not establish a prima facie case for Agyebeng’s removal. The letter cited Section 15(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017, which requires the Chief Justice to determine whether a petition has sufficient merit to proceed.
Amidu had alleged that Agyebeng’s actions constituted a grave abuse of power and undermined the integrity of the judiciary. However, the Chief Justice found no evidence to support these claims. The dismissal of the petition is a significant blow to Amidu’s efforts to remove Agyebeng from office. It is unclear whether Amidu will appeal the decision or pursue other legal avenues.
The development has sparked debate about the role of the Special Prosecutor and the limits of their power. Some have praised the Chief Justice’s decision, while others have criticized it as a miscarriage of justice. In a statement, Agyebeng welcomed the Chief Justice’s decision, saying it vindicated his position and cleared him of any wrongdoing. He pledged to continue working to ensure accountability and transparency in government.
The outcome of this development has significant implications for the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the broader justice system in Ghana. It highlights the need for robust evidence and legal grounds in petitions seeking the removal of high-ranking officials.
