The Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has criticised the conduct of some officials at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), accusing them of overstepping their authority and treating suspects with disrespect during investigations.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Saturday, April 18, he alleged that certain officers act as though they are above the law, particularly in how they handle individuals invited for questioning.
According to him, some suspects are subjected to verbal attacks and humiliation during interrogations—an approach he described as unacceptable and contrary to due process.
“A couple of people in there are behaving as though they are tin gods. If you invite somebody to come for questioning or interrogation and you end up insulting their dignity… that is wrong,” he said.
Mr Amoah stressed that while investigative bodies are legally empowered to question suspects, such authority must be exercised with respect for human dignity and the principles of a fair trial.
“The law is clear—if there is a case against someone, proceed accordingly. Give the person a fair hearing, allow access to legal representation, and if found guilty, let the law take its course,” he stated.
He further questioned the allocation of significant public funds to the OSP, suggesting that those resources could be channelled into other priority areas such as job creation and the payment of public sector salaries.
“It appears we are quick to establish institutions and assign funds without fully assessing efficiency,” he added, urging a more prudent approach to governance and resource management.
His remarks come in the wake of a recent ruling by the General Jurisdiction Division 10 of the High Court in Accra, which directed the Attorney-General to assume control of all criminal prosecutions initiated by the OSP.
The court also nullified ongoing prosecutions by the office and awarded costs of GH₵15,000 against it, effectively bringing several high-profile cases to a halt.
