A private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has described Richard Jakpa’s raid on the residence of former Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Ernest Addison as “uncivilized” and “unacceptable.”
This incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about the conduct of national security operatives in Ghana.
According to Martin Kpebu, the approach adopted by Jakpa and his team was fundamentally flawed. “The way national security operates leaves a lot of room for abuse. Unlike the police, which have clear service instructions, national security doesn’t have detailed guidelines for how to conduct searches,” Kpebu stated in an interview on TV3.
He emphasized that the absence of clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) for national security searches creates an environment conducive to abuse, highlighting the need for urgent reforms.
He also took issue with Jakpa’s personal involvement in the raid, citing his recent history of being defended by Ghanaians when he faced court proceedings.
“Jakpa should be the first person to want to ensure that another person gets justice… Jakpa knowing that some few months ago we were here defending him when he was standing before the court, he should also be magnanimous in victory,” Kpebu argued, urging Richard Jakpa to recognize the importance of upholding the law and respecting the rights of citizens.
Furthermore, Martin Kpebu stressed that the search warrant should have been provided to Addison before the search, citing Article 23 of the constitution, which emphasizes the need for administrative bodies to act fairly and reasonably.
“If you are coming into someone’s house with a warrant, at the very least, they should be allowed to see it. How do you execute a search without giving the person the document that justifies your actions?” Kpebu questioned, highlighting the apparent disregard for due process.
The private legal practitioner’s comments were echoed by other critics, who argued that the raid on Addison’s residence was heavy-handed and unjustified.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of national security in Ghana and the need for greater accountability and transparency.
Many have expressed concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the erosion of trust in state institutions.
