Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has taken issue with what he describes as unreasonable and surprising bail conditions imposed on him by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) following his arrest on Wednesday, December 3.
Speaking in an interview with Joy FM on Thursday, Mr. Kpebu recounted his shock when officers at the OSP demanded proof of ownership of a landed property as part of the requirements for his release.
“After I was arrested and I had written my statement, when it was time for them to grant me bail, they stated that I needed to provide a landed property in my name, and it looked like a joke to me,” he said.
Kpebu, who had been invited to assist the OSP with investigations into corruption allegations he has made against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, said the treatment he received was both unfair and discouraging.
He also alleged that he had been verbally abused by a military officer stationed at the OSP prior to his arrest.
“After a soldier had verbally abused me and you haven’t protected me—someone who has come to help you to do your work—and now you arrest me, and you say I should produce a landed property,” he lamented.
The outspoken lawyer criticised what he believes is a heavy-handed approach by the OSP, arguing that such stringent bail conditions were unnecessary and disproportionate, particularly for someone who voluntarily honoured the office’s invitation.
The OSP has not yet publicly responded to Mr. Kpebu’s claims regarding the bail conditions or the alleged verbal abuse.
