The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has called for the abolition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), insisting that the Attorney-General’s Office should be empowered as the sole institution responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, December 4, Mr. Ayariga questioned the rationale behind under-resourcing the Attorney-General while allocating substantial funds to the OSP, which he argued has failed to meet expectations.
“Look at the budget, why have we not been resourcing the Attorney General? After resourcing the OSP more than the Attorney General, [OSP] is still not delivering. I’m of a strong conviction that the OSP should be abolished, whether through a private members’ bill as advised by former Speaker, Prof. Mike Oquaye, or a call on the executive to expedite a bill that we will consider and approve by the House,” he said.
He emphasised that scrapping the OSP would not protect corrupt individuals from facing justice.
“Let me sound a warning that abolition of the OSP will not leave individuals engaged in corruption off the hook. I will ensure that the process is expedited,” he added.
The OSP has recently faced increased public scrutiny following the detention of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu after a confrontation with security officials at the office’s headquarters.
