OSP is not a weapon to settle personal scores, says Kissi Agyebeng

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has said no politician “will dare” interfere with his work or use him to settle a personal score with their detractors.

A section of the public is accusing the Office of the Special Prosecutor of using the past minister of environment, science, technology and innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, as a scapegoat after falling out with the government following his leaked report on illegal mining.

In May this year, a leaked 36-page report by Frimpong-Boateng said that high-profile government officials, presidential staffers, security officials and MPs are involved in illegal mining or are interfering in the fight against the problem.

The Special Prosecutor invited Frimpong-Boateng over the leaked report. He is also being investigated as a suspect as the OSP investigates the activities and expenditure of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee Against Illegal Mining (IMCIM).

Touching on the development, Agyebeng said it is “very preposterous” for anyone to assume that he is after the world celebrated heart surgeon, Frimpong-Boateng, because he has made wild allegations against key government officials.

“I do not fear political interference because no one will dare it with me,” Agyebeng said on Accra-based Joy FM on Saturday (10 June). “The OSP is not a weapon for settling scores. The OSP does not settle scores on behalf of people and for people.”

“If you have your fight with someone in court that is your kettle of fish,” the Special Prosecutor said, adding that: “God forbid that I’ll be used to settle scores. The government of the day won’t even try it.”

No one is a saint

Agyebeng also served notice to public officials and other influential individuals of society that his office will not give them preferential treatment when they come under investigation.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is currently after officials alleged to have engaged in illegal mining or associated with the menace. It is investigating over 120 cases related to corruption and corruption-related offences in the mining and other sectors of society.

The OSP has expanded its investigation into the activities and expenditure of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee Against Illegal Mining (IMCIM) by interrogating more officials.

“Every single person is going to appear before us,” Agyebeng said. “We’ve spoken to several people since October 2022.”

“No one is a saint to us. We do not consecrate saints,” the Special Prosecutor said. “I don’t have that luxury to treat people as saints. We look at everybody in the same manner.”

According to him, “everyone who was an officer of the IMCIM is my target.”

 

Source: AsaaseRadio