Kow Essuman is a former Legal Counsel to ex-president Akufo-Addo
The former Legal Counsel to ex-president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Kow Abaka Essuman, has weighed in on the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) arrest of Martin Kpebu.
Sharing his views on the issue on Thursday, December 4, 2025, he stated that the OSP may have acted beyond his authority and misused his office in arresting Kpebu.
You had no business inviting Kpebu – Prof Mike Oquaye slams OSP
According to him, this incident could provide grounds for the OSP’s removal, suggesting that even if petitions against the Special Prosecutor lack merit, the circumstances surrounding Kpebu’s detention could meet the prima facie standard for removal.
“Abuse of office. Ultra vires conduct. If the petitions against the Special Prosecutor lack merit, the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of Martin Kpebu will readily provide grounds for removal and will satisfy the prima facie standard. It could have been avoided,” he posted.
Essuman is the latest individual to criticise the OSP’s actions.
About Kpebu’s arrest:
Kpebu was arrested and detained after he honoured an invitation to the OSP earlier on December 3, 2025, for what he described as routine formalities to assist in investigations.
According to him, a soldier stationed at the OSP, who he noted was not wearing a name tag, approached him and remarked that officers had “allowed” him to park his car. The soldier then warned that the next time he visited, he would not be allowed to park or even leave the compound freely.
Kpebu said he challenged the soldier’s comments, insisting that the officer had no authority to restrict his rights, especially when he was neither under investigation nor being treated as a suspect. He stated that he was only present to provide additional information as requested by the OSP.
He said another soldier later shouted “you will see” at him as he continued walking. Kpebu explained that in the Ghanaian context, the phrase is generally understood as a threat of consequences, even if not physical harm.
He stated that feeling provoked, he turned around and repeated that the officer had no right to speak to him in that manner.
Tensions escalated when one of the soldiers allegedly called him “stupid.” Kpebu admitted he responded in kind, telling the soldier he was stupid too.
Martin Kpebu recounts reason for his detention by OSP
Kpebu noted a brief verbal exchange followed before one of his lawyers stepped in and guided him inside for the meeting.
Kpebu maintained that the confrontation was the basis for his arrest.
Abuse of office. Ultra vires conduct. If the petitions against the Special Prosecutor lack merit, the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of Martin Kpebu will readily provide grounds for removal and will satisfy the prima facie standard. It could have been avoided.
— Kow Essuman (@kaessuman) December 4, 2025
MAG/SEA
Meanwhile, watch some videos from the NPP’s 2025 Constitution Amendment
