According to Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner, the arrest of Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) was in line with standard procedure.
He explained that Prof Frimpong-Boateng was not handcuffed when he was arrested. He was invited by the OSP and after questioning, the officer put his hand around his shoulder and said he was arrested.
“That is standard,” Kpebu said on TV3/3FM’s Key Points on Saturday, June 10.
He also expressed confidence in the OSP under the leadership of Mr Kissi Agyebeng to deliver on its mandate, especially in handling the case involving Prof Frimpong-Boateng.
“I have not seen any reason to doubt that Mr Kissi Agyebeng has what it takes to run the office. The noise is good but let us be careful,” he said.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng, who is also a renowned heart surgeon, was investigated following an invitation by the OSP weeks ago.
He was invited on corruption and corruption-related activities, particularly over his report on the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).
He was also arrested for alleged involvement in the disappearance of some 500 excavators and the involvement of Symphony Limited, his son’s company, in illegal mining.
He was granted bail of GH¢2 million immediately.
However, the OSP has received criticism for this action. For example, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, described the arrest as strange.
He also described it as ‘the accuser-turned-accused’.
“It is a bit strange,” Mr Ayikoi said on TV3/3FM’s Key Points on Saturday, June 10.
He added “[Frimpong-Boateng] made a lot of allegations about individuals in the powerhouse in his report and the OSP has told us he is interested.
“The report shows his frustrations and the support that he couldn’t get in fighting illegal mining. If there is something to be done why won’t you focus on the report… and now the accuser has been arrested and granted bail.
“It is diversionary, that is my view.”
