By Daniel Bampoe
Former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and broadcaster, Paul Adom-Otchere, has taken legal action against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), challenging what he describes as an unlawful and oppressive directive ordering him to declare his assets and income.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Adom-Otchere, through his legal team led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, is asking the court to quash the OSP’s directive issued on August 4, 2025, insisting that it violates the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and its operational regulations (L.I. 2374).
The Legal Challenge
The broadcaster’s application for judicial review invokes Articles 23 and 296 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which safeguard administrative justice and prohibit arbitrary exercise of discretionary powers by public officials.
His lawyers contend that the OSP’s directive to compel Adom-Otchere to declare his property and income is “manifestly unlawful” and constitutes an abuse of power by the Special Prosecutor.
They are also seeking a certiorari order to bring the said directive before the court and quash it, arguing that it breaches sections 47(1), 50, and 51 of Act 959, which outline the proper procedure for the performance of the Special Prosecutor’s duties.
The application further demands a declaration that the alleged threats of “legal consequences,” “confiscation,” and “detention” issued by the OSP following the notice to declare assets are unlawful and amount to harassment.
OSP Probe
The OSP is currently investigating Adom-Otchere in connection with a controversial revenue assurance contract awarded by GACL to Evatex Limited during his tenure as board chairman.
The contract, intended to track and safeguard airport revenues through a digital monitoring system, has come under scrutiny over alleged irregularities in procurement and potential conflict of interest.
The investigation forms part of the OSP’s wider crackdown on corruption-related activities within state-owned enterprises, particularly in procurement and revenue management processes.
In early August 2025, Adom-Otchere was invited for questioning by the OSP, following which he was granted bail after several hours of interrogation. However, reports indicate that his legal team initially opposed the bail terms imposed by the OSP, describing them as impractical. After negotiations, the conditions were revised, leading to his release.
Sources close to the case revealed that the Jospong Group of Companies, one of Ghana’s largest conglomerates, stepped in to provide surety for his bail.
OSP’s Position and Continuing Probe
The Office of the Special Prosecutor, led by Kissi Agyebeng, has maintained that its directive for Adom-Otchere to declare his property and income is part of due process under its investigative mandate.
The OSP has emphasized that the ongoing probe remains active, despite the latest court action.
In a brief statement earlier, the OSP reiterated that it will “continue to pursue all persons under investigation in accordance with the law,” stressing its independence and constitutional obligation to fight corruption without fear or favor.
A Broader Accountability Drive
The case adds to a growing list of legal tussles between high-profile public figures and the Special Prosecutor’s office. Since its establishment in 2018, the OSP has sought to enforce asset declarations, investigate procurement breaches, and prosecute corruption-related offences within public institutions.
Observers believe the outcome of this judicial review could have far-reaching implications for how the OSP exercises its powers under Act 959, particularly regarding asset declaration orders and their enforcement mechanisms.
