The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified the circumstances surrounding its recent search and seizure operation at the offices of Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), insisting that the action was lawful, professional, and non-destructive.
Speaking to Daily Graphic, the OSP’s Director of Strategy, Research and Communication, Samuel Appiah Darko, firmly dismissed rumours that the investigative body vandalised property during the exercise.
“This is called the Form 3, and it’s titled ‘Inventory of items seized or detained during search by an authorised officer,’” he said, referencing the formal documentation filled during the operation.
“Our investigators went to the SML offices for a lawful search to take possession of certain information and items which we need to help us in our investigation,” Darko explained.
He was categorical in stating, “We did not destroy any property, and we filled the seizure notice duly signed by our officers and representatives of SML.”
According to him, the Director of IT at SML, Samuel Jacob Prempeh, signed the seizure notice on behalf of the company, and it was witnessed by Rev. Michael Nyamitei, a colleague from SML. On the OSP’s side, a Principal Staff Officer appended their signature, affirming transparency on both ends.
Why the search happened
The background to this incident stems from an earlier request by the OSP for certain documents from SML in connection with an ongoing investigation, triggered by a petition from investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
However, SML, through its legal team, exercised its right to decline the request—prompting the OSP to seek legal backing.
“When asked, Mr Darko confirmed the information and said that compelled the OSP to apply for a warrant of the court to obtain the needed information from SML,” the Daily Graphic report noted.
