Martin Kpebu’s arrest and detention by the OSP sparks dispute over military security, bail demands and internal investigations

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu’s arrest and detention by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on December 3 has triggered a fierce battle of narratives between the lawyer and the OSP, with both sides offering sharply contrasting accounts of what occurred at the institution’s Cantonments headquarters.

Mr Kpebu was at the OSP to honour his third invitation tied to his public allegations of incompetence and corruption against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng. Before entering the building, he briefly spoke to the media outside the gate.

After the interview, he re-entered the compound, where a verbal exchange with two soldiers stationed at the entrance set off the events that followed.

According to Mr Kpebu, one soldier warned him about where he had parked, and another escalated the situation by calling him a “stupid man.”

He says he only replied in kind and attempted to lodge a formal complaint with a policewoman and later with OSP officials, including Chief of Staff Abraham Ablohmensa.

More than an hour later, he was arrested for “obstruction of officers in the performance of their duties.”

The OSP rejects his version. Through spokesperson Sammy Darko, the OSP says Mr Kpebu reacted angrily when security personnel reminded him that photography and videography were not allowed at the entrance.

They claim he insulted the guards, dismissed them as “nobodies,” and said their boss would soon be removed.

The OSP describes his conduct as part of a recurring pattern and insists the arrest was carried out without force.

The dispute has widened to a debate over the constitutionality of soldiers securing the OSP. Mr Kpebu argues that deploying the military for policing duties breaches the constitution, which assigns law and order responsibilities to the police.

He describes the soldiers’ posture as a “vigilante mentality,” citing a previous incident involving another lawyer.

The OSP has not directly responded to this claim, although media commentary suggests the deployment may stem from security concerns previously raised by the Special Prosecutor.

Another major sticking point is the bail condition reportedly demanded by the OSP, proof of ownership of landed property. Mr Kpebu says this was excessive for a verbal confrontation and alleges the OSP attempted to prolong the process by insisting on “verification,” which he believes could have kept him detained for weeks.

He was later transferred to the National Investigations Bureau around 7:25 p.m., processed, and released at about 10 p.m. He says no official explanation was given and credits media pressure for his release.

The OSP has also dismissed Mr Kpebu’s push for an independent body to investigate his allegations against the Special Prosecutor.

The lawyer insists that the current investigative officers are subordinates of Mr Agyebeng and cannot credibly investigate their own boss.

The OSP counters that internal fact-finding by senior officers is a standard institutional process, accusing Mr Kpebu of distorting the facts.

The arrest comes as Mr Kpebu intensifies efforts to compile a petition to the President seeking the removal of the Special Prosecutor.

He claims he is building a list of at least 15 charges, expects more information from citizens, and says his dossier is nearly ready. He is also reviewing the option of legal action against the OSP for malicious prosecution.

For now, cooperation between the two sides remains uncertain, with Mr Kpebu insisting he will only continue engaging if the investigative committee is reconstituted to include OSP board members.