The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has indicated that the Attorney-General’s Department will await a decision by the Supreme Court on the prosecutorial authority of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) before deciding whether to comply with a High Court ruling directing it to take over ongoing OSP cases.
Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday, April 20, Dr Srem-Sai said it would be premature to act before the Supreme Court pronounces on the matter.
“Our position is that we will wait for the Supreme Court decision before taking over OSP’s cases. It will be a rush to start doing something now,” he said.
His remarks follow a High Court ruling on April 15, 2026, which directed the Attorney-General’s Department to assume responsibility for all ongoing criminal prosecutions by the OSP, pending formal authorisation from the Attorney-General.
The decision arose from a judicial review application challenging the prosecutorial powers of the anti-corruption body.
The OSP has strongly disagreed with the ruling, arguing that the High Court exceeded its jurisdiction. The office says it is pursuing legal remedies to have the decision set aside, maintaining that its enabling Act grants it prosecutorial authority.
The case was brought by Peter Archibold Hyde, one of four individuals under investigation by the OSP. The others include Alhaji Seidu, James Keck Osei, and Customs officer John Abban.
They are alleged to have conspired to unlawfully seize containers using forged documents, including a falsified letter purportedly issued by the Office of the then Vice President.
In its ruling, the High Court held that while the OSP has the constitutional mandate to investigate suspected corruption-related offences, it does not have the authority to initiate prosecutions without prior approval from the Attorney-General.
Srem-Sai: Ghana should study other jurisdictions to resolve OSP–AG friction
