Amidu warns of deepening rift between OSP and Attorney-General over prosecutorial powers

Martin Amidu warned of a growing institutional breakdown between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Attorney-General's Department. He cautioned that "the tension could undermine Ghana's anti-corruption framework." His concerns follow a High Court ruling on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, which directed the Attorney-General's Department to assume responsibility for all ongoing criminal prosecutions being handled by the OSP, pending formal clearance from the Attorney-General's office.

The case was filed in December 2025 by Noah Ephraem Tetteh Adamtey, seeking constitutional interpretation of aspects of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). Mr. Amidu noted that the Attorney-General applied for an extension on April 8, 2026, months after the suit was initiated. He described the Attorney-General's filings as one that does not reflect an impartial defence of the state's interests. He also said that "The relationship between the Special Prosecutor and the Attorney-General under this Government has broken down beyond repair," and that "At the end of the day, the Special Prosecutor and the Attorney-General cannot co-exist and cooperate."

The case is expected to set a significant precedent on the limits of prosecutorial authority in Ghana.