Kissi Agyebeng
Two key suspects in the yet-to-be-filed Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) case have filed a human rights application against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), alleging that their rights were violated when they were photographed holding placards bearing their names.
The applicants — Christian Tetteh Sotie, Managing Director of SML and former Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of the GRA’s Customs Division and current Manager at SML — argue that the OSP’s act of photographing them in that manner was unlawful and degrading.
In their suit, the two are asking the Human Rights Division of the High Court to declare that any publication of the said photographs would constitute a violation of their fundamental human rights.
They are further seeking an order restraining the OSP from releasing or publishing the images, which they say could subject them to public ridicule and prejudice ongoing investigations.
Background to the SML Probe
The OSP is currently investigating several individuals, including former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta, in connection with the controversial revenue assurance contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
The investigation follows concerns over the legality, value-for-money, and scope of the contract, which was intended to enhance revenue monitoring in the petroleum downstream sector.
Though no charges have yet been filed, the suspects, including senior figures at SML and former GRA officials, have been questioned by the OSP as part of ongoing inquiries.
The legal action by Sotie and Crentsil raises broader concerns about the OSP’s investigative methods and the balance between public transparency and individual rights.
Their lawyers contend that photographing suspects while holding placards amounts to public shaming, contrary to the presumption of innocence guaranteed under Ghana’s Constitution.
