A former employee of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken legal action against the specialised anti-corruption body, arguing that his termination was carried out without a proper hearing.
In a lawsuit filed with the Human Rights Division of the High Court, Deputy Staff Officer (DSP) Mark Kwaku Asiedu-Arthur is contesting the reasons given for the withdrawal of his appointment by the OSP.
Before his tenure with the OSP, which began in 2023, Asiedu-Arthur had worked at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) until his dismissal in 2016.
During his interview for the OSP role, he insists that this previous termination was openly discussed.
He claims that after being suspended for a week amid an ongoing investigation, he was not provided with the opportunity to address a disciplinary committee before his appointment was annulled in June 2025.
Asiedu-Arthur points out that the OSP’s letter of termination cited its supposed discovery in 2025 of his NIB dismissal as a reason for his ineligibility, a claim he finds insincere since he disclosed this information during the hiring process in 2023.
His main argument centres on the notion that the OSP, already aware of his past at the time of his recruitment and confirmation, cannot later use this same information to justify his dismissal, especially as he was not allowed the chance to present his case before the termination was enacted.
“That the decision of the OSP to rely on a known and previously accepted fact to now justify the withdrawal of my appointment is an abuse of discretion and a violation of my right,” he noted.
He added, “That I am advised by counsel and verily believe same to be true that a public institution cannot rely on its own inaction or oversight as a ground to deprive an individual of employment or protection under the law”.
The plaintiff is praying the High Court declares the OSP’s withdrawal of his appointment letter without a hearing and based on previously disclosed information is unfair, unreasonable, and in breach of Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution.
“A Declaration that the OSP’s action in withdrawing the applicant’s appointment letter dated without due process, amounts to a violation of his right to a fair hearing and right to administrative justice,” the applicant stated in his writ which was filed by his counsel, Derrick Aboagye Asamoah.
He also wants the court to issue an order for him to be reinstated or, in alternative, payment of compensation in a lump sum, and a payment of compensation for the infringement of his right.
