President Nana Akufo-Addo’s nominee for Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has said he will strive to stop all forms of influence by powerful persons in government, including the President, in the discharge of his duties.
Responding to questions during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday, July 22, Mr Agyabeng said he will jealously guard his independence from all forms of interference.
“Honourable Chair, if given the nod, I shall guard my independence jealously,†he said.
According to him, it would be self-destruction if he is unable to guard his independence.
He referenced Act 959 to say he is quite covered from political interference by that legal provision.
Lawyer Agyebeng said the act expresses his independence in so many words and that should be enough to carry him through his task as the Special Prosecutor.
The Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, nominated the law lecturer and private legal practitioner as a replacement for Martin Amidu, who resigned from the position in November 2020.
Section 13 (8) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) requires the President to appoint a person qualified for appointment as Special Prosecutor within six months of the Office becoming vacant.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has the mandate to investigate and prosecute all suspected corruption and corruption-related offences as pertaining to public officers, politically exposed persons, and persons in the private sector alleged to have been involved in any corruption and corruption-related offences.