The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has provided clarity on the recent incident involving Private Legal Practitioner Martin Kpebu, following his detention on December 3 for allegedly obstructing officers.
This is not the first time Mr. Kpebu “has acted improperly toward OSP security personnel in the discharge of their lawful duties,” the OSP said, noting that after each incident, he “publicly presents a completely different version of events.”
After monitoring his conduct, the Office observed that “unless his interactions were recorded, he would misrepresent the facts.”
A notable example is his “false claim that there were 16 petitions calling for the removal of the Special Prosecutor.”
When confronted by KSM on his show, Mr. Kpebu “admitted that he merely repeated what he heard someone say on Newsfile, without verifying it.”
The Director of SRC described this as “concerning that a lawyer would make such a statement without checking the facts.”
The OSP further clarified that “the confrontation at the OSP has nothing to do with the ongoing inquiry into the unsubstantiated allegations he made against the SP and the Office.”
Despite this, Mr. Kpebu “continues to claim that he is ‘gathering evidence’ and will eventually present it to an OSP Board, despite knowing there is currently no board in place.”
The Office highlighted a “familiar pattern” where he “refuses to cooperate, demands that certain officers be removed from the panel, gets his wish, and then introduces a new obstacle.”
Nevertheless, investigators “have continued their work professionally despite his lack of cooperation and abusive conduct.”
Responding to claims by Mr. Kpebu that those handling the case are “junior staff,” the OSP stressed that their ranks are “equivalent to Deputy Commissioners of Police.”
The claim that “the OSP is investigating itself” was described as “either a misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation of institutional processes.”
The Office explained: “Fact-finding committees exist to establish facts- not to pronounce guilt or innocence. Police misconduct is not investigated by fire service officers; GRA misconduct is not investigated by immigration officers; and alleged misconduct in one university is not investigated by another. The principle is the same.”
Regarding the events at the OSP premises, the Office said Mr. Kpebu “parked his vehicle and stepped outside the gate to conduct an interview,” a routine he follows by bringing media personnel “to speak to them before entering and after exiting.”
Security personnel “cautioned him to move away from the entrance,” after which he “moved to the fried yam seller’s spot and continued speaking to the media.” Upon entering the compound alone, guards “reminded him that photography and videography are not permitted around the premises.”
Mr. Kpebu “reacted angrily to the reminder and insulted the guards.” The guards issued “a formal warning about his conduct,” but Mr. Kpebu “insisted he could act as he pleased and threatened to report them.”
He reportedly told them they are “nobodies, even their boss, head of the agency is no body and will be removed soon.”
His “continued insults and obstructive behaviour led to his arrest for the offence of obstruction of officers in the performance of their duties.”
The arrest was “executed without force, and there is no internal record of any assault or mistreatment.”
After his arrest, “bail was granted according to standard administrative procedures,” and the conditions were explained to Mr. Kpebu and his counsel.
However, one of his lawyers “refused to leave the premises until Mr. Kpebu was brought back,” insulted officers, and “caused a scene, all of which was recorded.”
Officers “removed her gently and without force,” a conduct the Office described as commendable.
Mr. Kpebu was then “transferred to a secured holding area as part of normal processing.”
Addressing public concerns about the detention, the OSP assured that “all transfers followed protocol” and that at no point was he “denied access to counsel or due process.”
The Office dismissed claims that it “fell into a trap” as “unfounded,” affirming, “The Office has not fallen for any trap. It has simply applied the law to protect its personnel and maintain order on its premises.”
It made clear that “connections, public influence, or media prominence do not place anyone above the law.”
Mr. Kpebu is “expected to report this morning at 11am after bail was granted last night for further investigations on the offence of obstruction of justice.”
The OSP said “a different date will be announced for continuation of enquiry into his allegation of corruption.”
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
