The Criminal Division of the High Court, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, witnessed dramatic scenes on Thursday, January 22, 2026, as the judge expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The confrontation arose following reports that the accused persons and their legal counsel in the case of Republic v. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and Others were being detained and subjected to further investigations when they visited the OSP to report themselves as part of their court-mandated bail conditions.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay, known for her strict adherence to judicial procedures, told the OSP’s prosecution team, led by Principal Prosecutor Adelaide Kobiri-Woode, that the office lacked the authority to detain or continue investigating individuals for matters already before the court for trial.
The judge decried the actions of the OSP investigators, asserting that the accused persons and their lawyers should not be subjected to such treatment once the court has taken jurisdiction over the case.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay stated without ambiguity that the OSP should not have filed formal charges if its investigations were not yet completed. She emphasized that the court was already seized with the matter and was prepared to proceed with the trial, signaling that further investigative detentions by the OSP were an interference with the judicial process.
The case involves officials from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and remains one of the high-profile matters currently being monitored by the public.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
