OSP, Sued Over Alleged Unlawful Detention and Extortion — Victim Details Ordeal in Court

A Ghanaian businessman, Jacob Kwamina Amuah, has filed a damning human rights lawsuit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and two private lawyers, alleging unlawful arrest, detention beyond the 48-hour constitutional limit, coercive interrogation, and extortion.

The case, filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, invokes Article 33 of the 1992 Constitution and Order 67 of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47), citing breaches of the applicant’s rights to personal liberty, fair trial, and freedom of movement.

The Core of the Complaint

In his sworn affidavit, Mr. Amuah recounts a disturbing ordeal that began in February 2025, when he was allegedly detained by state security officers acting in concert with two respondents — Kwabena Adjei-Boahe and Edgar Asamoah Boateng.

He states that after several hours in custody, the officers informed him he would be granted bail and discharged upon transfer to the OSP’s office. However, on arrival, events took a darker turn.

According to the affidavit:

“Unbeknownst to me, the 1st and 2nd respondents had pre-planned my statement with officers of the 3rd and 4th respondents. I was directed by the 1st respondent to write my caution statement in a predetermined manner.”

Mr. Amuah alleges that he was held beyond the constitutionally allowed 48 hours without being taken before any court. Despite being visibly unwell, the interrogation continued late into the night, lasting five hours under what he describes as “psychological pressure.”

He was reportedly released on February 17, 2025, only after his health deteriorated, and was subsequently ordered to return for further investigations the following day.

Health and Psychological Impact

The applicant says he has since suffered from anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the ordeal. He has been receiving treatment at the Trust Specialist Hospital since March 10, 2025 — a report he attached as Exhibit A in support of his case.

Reliefs Sought

Mr. Amuah is seeking:

• A declaration that his arrest and continued detention were unlawful.
• General damages for breach of his rights.
• Compensation for psychological trauma and medical expenses.
• Legal costs amounting to 15% of his total claim.
• Any other relief the court deems appropriate.

OSP Yet to File Defence

Despite the case being filed in August 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor — Ghana’s leading anti-corruption body — has yet to file its defence, raising concerns about institutional accountability.

This development has drawn significant public attention, as it challenges the OSP’s integrity and procedural fairness in handling investigations, especially under its human rights obligations.