General News of Monday, 20 May 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Akufo-Addo asked Kissi Agyebeng to resign months ago but he refused – Martin Kpebu

President Akufo-Addo (R) swearing Kissi Agyebeng (with a Bible) into office in 2021 President Akufo-Addo (R) swearing Kissi Agyebeng (with a Bible) into office in 2021

Lawyer Martin Kpebu has alleged that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo asked the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, to resign months ago.

According to Kpebu, this request followed a petition submitted to President Akufo-Addo for the removal of Kissi Agyebeng by former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu.

The lawyer indicated that his sources at the Office of the President told him that Kissi Agyebeng refused to step down, as reported by 3news.com.

“Martin Amidu has served as an opportunity for President Akufo-Addo to get Kissi Agyebeng out. Akufo-Addo had asked Kissi to resign a few months ago.

“I have my sources at the presidency, and they told me that President Akufo-Addo asked Kissi to resign, but Kissi said no, he is not going anywhere,” he is quoted to have said.

He added that the president wants to remove the Special Prosecutor so badly because he is afraid that he (Akufo-Addo) could be investigated by him (Agyebeng).

“Because Akufo-Addo is scared that the way Kissi is showing a bit of independence, a bit of steam, if he leaves Kissi in office, Kissi is likely to prosecute him and his appointees,” he added.

Background:

President Akufo-Addo forwarded a petition for the removal of Kissi Agyebeng as Special Prosecutor to the Chief Justice.

The petition, dated April 30, 2024, was presented to the president by the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, and was relayed to Justice Gertrude Torkornoo on May 6, 2024.

Amidu was reported to have cited procurement irregularities in the acquisition of vehicles for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and alleged misconduct involving judges and the administration of justice.

Additional accusations encompass the infringement of citizens' rights through arrests and detentions, breaches of the right to information, and the inappropriate appointment of staff to the office.

In accordance with Article 146 of the Constitution, the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, is currently assessing whether there is sufficient initial evidence to constitute a committee for Agyebeng's potential impeachment.

She has reportedly asked the Special Prosecutor to respond to the issues raised in the petition.

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