Why 'I believe Kpebu over the OSP' – Manasseh Azure speaks

Award-winning investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has cast doubt on the account given by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) regarding the altercation that led to the arrest of renowned lawyer Martin Kpebu.

Speaking during a panel discussion on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Manasseh said he believes Kpebu’s version of events because the OSP’s past actions have dented its credibility.

He cited as an example the OSP’s claim that its investigation into the SML scandal began in 2023, although information available to him shows that the investigation actually started in 2025.

“I think I would believe Martin Kpebu over the OSP at this point. In the past, I would not have doubted information coming from the OSP, which is supposed to be a citadel of integrity. In your interview with Martin Kpebu, you mentioned that The Fourth Estate published a report stating that the SML investigation started in 2023 — that was an official report from the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which many media houses published.

“I had no reason to believe or even suspect that such an honourable office might be lying in this report. Then, early this year, officials of that office reached out to me on the 29th of January 2025, and the call was to the effect that, ‘You petitioned our office to begin investigating SML. We are about to start the investigation, and we think it is proper that we understand the petition. There may be background information you have that is not in the petition or even in the documentary.’ So we scheduled a meeting, and that meeting came off on the 31st of January.

“There was a follow-up email from the officer leading the investigation at the time, and this email came on the 5th of February 2025. It said I should provide them with some information for, quote, ‘the preparatory process for the investigation’, and it was in line with the fact that they were about to begin,” he said.

The journalist indicated that his engagement with the OSP, as well as a “diary of action” he intercepted from the office, clearly shows that the investigation did not begin in 2023.

Kpebu's arrest could be grounds for OSP's removal - Kow Essuman asserts

He also argued that the office has been releasing inaccurate figures regarding the amount of money involved in the SML scandal, further undermining trust in its statements.

“It is difficult at this moment to just believe everything that they say,” he reiterated.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor came under intense criticism from sections of the public after it arrested and detained Martin Kpebu, whom it had invited to assist with information on allegations he made against the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng.

The OSP accused Kpebu of obstruction of justice after an altercation with soldiers at its premises, stating that he verbally abused the officers.

Kpebu, however, maintained that he only insulted one of the officers after the officer allegedly called him “stupid”.

Watch Manasseh’s remarks below:



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