Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, is contesting the Attorney-General’s legal advice to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service concerning former Environment Minister Dr. Frimpong-Boateng’s report on illegal mining activities.
The Attorney-General’s office had advised that Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s allegations in his report lack evidence to prosecute those mentioned in it.
Consequently, they asked the police to release all individuals mentioned in the report, except those still under investigation.
Kpebu, however, believes that the Attorney-General’s conclusion on the report is erroneous. He previously criticized Godfred Yeboah Dame for what he saw as a lack of a thorough investigation into the allegations. In his view, Dame should reverse his advice and reevaluate the matter.
On JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on October 19, Kpebu reiterated his stance and called on the Attorney General to investigate Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, President Akufo-Addo’s cousin, for his involvement in the illegal mining activities of Heritage Imperial.
The former Minister’s report accused Mr. Otchere-Darko of influencing the release of some Chinese miners associated with the mining company. According to Kpebu, the Attorney General could have requested Otchere-Darko to provide evidence of the mining leases his clients allegedly possessed during his phone conversation with the former minister. Failure to do so, in Kpebu’s opinion, should lead to charges of ‘deceit of public officer.’
“… Gabby’s call was an interference of his work, right? So now question is, what did Gabby come out to say? He said he called to inform Frimpong-Boateng that Imperial Heritage had all the mining leases. So what I’m expecting is that now in the opinion did they show us that they talked to Gabby and Gabby has supplied all the mining leases? Has Gabby given them all the mining leases?
“Because in the interview, I can remember it clearly, Gabby called, he doesn’t deny it, that he called to say that they had all the documents. So where in the opinion was it shown and why don’t they exhibit it that Gabby has furnished them with the draft of mining permits and everything under the book that Imperial has? So in the absence of such evidence that’s a poor job. That is a poor job.
“That will be deceit of public officer. Deceit of public officer, a public officer engaged in trying to hold people to account then you call him and tell him that they have every permit under the sun, every permit. For me, until they bring the evidence it means that he doesn’t have it,” he said.