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Els MBN360
President John Dramani Mahama has received 10 petitions seeking the removal of key officials, including Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa, and her two deputies, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey. The petitions, submitted by private citizens, allege misconduct, incompetence, and abuse of office.
Seven petitions target the EC leadership, citing concerns over the commission’s management and accountability. Three petitions focus on Special Prosecutor Agyebeng, accusing him of incompetence and conduct likely to bring the office into disrepute.
The petitions have been forwarded to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who will determine whether a prima facie case exists. If established, a committee will be set up to investigate and recommend action to the President.
Opinions remain divided on the effectiveness of the Office. While some argue that the OSP has introduced a necessary layer of accountability in public life, others contend that the institution has fallen short of its mandate.
For example, in the Ofori-Atta extradition case, Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu accused Agyebeng of “extreme incompetence” for allowing former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to leave Ghana while under investigation, suggesting this inaction undermines the credibility of the OSP.
Also, Lawyer Kweku Paintsil has recently criticized the OSP’s frequent press briefings, calling them “highly unprofessional” and accusing the Special Prosecutor of effectively conducting trials in the court of public opinion rather than through the formal legal process.
In 2023, an Accra High Court judge rebuked the OSP, stating that by making certain claims in its affidavits, the office acted as if it had appellate jurisdiction over the court, a “clear abuse of power,” according to the judge.
Also, Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu described Agyebeng as “pathologically dishonest” and “unfit” for his role, specifically criticizing his public statements about the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) case.
The petitions for the removal of the Chairperson Jean Mensa and her two deputies, Eric Bossman Asare and Samuel Tettey, centered on how the commission was run and the need for accountability at the highest levels.
