Political analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Joshua Zaato, has raised concerns about what he describes as the cohesive use of power by the Office of the Special Prosecutor and other investigative bodies.
Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews on Thursday, December 4, he stated that the bail system has been weaponised and used to intimidate individuals facing prosecution and coerce them into docility, which is worrying and needs urgent regulation.
“All those who said nothing during the case of Paul Adom-Otchere, Wendell, and Abronye are complicit in abuse of power,” he said.
He argued that, had Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, been picked up when former President Nana Akufo-Addo was in office, the situation could have sparked serious nationwide protests.
“If Martin Kpebu was arrested when Nana Akuffo-Addo was president of Ghana, there would be blood on the streets of Ghana, and the whole country would have been set ablaze,” he argued.
He acknowledged that the OSP is empowered to prosecute individuals who break the law.
However, he argued that the bail conditions being demanded, including requirements for landed property for members facing prosecution charges, such as Chairman Wontumi, Abronye, and Wendell, are outrageous.
He expressed hope that the judiciary will intervene and bring the enforcement agencies to order, urging those in authority to control the OSP, EOCO, and other investigative bodies.
“I pray that the members of the judiciary will bring the cohesive arm to order and that those in authority will ensure the OSP, EOCO, and other investigative bodies are called to order,” he stated.