Supreme Court overturns High Court ruling in Bissue, OSP legal battle

The Supreme Court has overturned a High Court ruling. This ruling dismissed an application from Charles Bissue. He is the former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee Against Illegal Mining.

Bissue filed the application at the Human Rights Division of the High Court. It was against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The case involves allegations of corruption against him. These allegations followed an investigative documentary by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. After this, the OSP declared Bissue a wanted person.

In response, Bissue obtained an injunction from the court. This injunction prevented the OSP from enforcing his arrest. In June 2023, he filed a case at the Human Rights Court. He accused the OSP of unlawfully securing an arrest warrant.

The OSP denied that any such warrant existed. They argued they did not need judicial approval to arrest Bissue. The Kaneshie District Court also denied issuing any warrant for his arrest. The Attorney-General supported this position on behalf of the District Court.

Despite this, Bissue’s legal team cited a public interview as evidence of a warrant. They argued that the judge should listen to this audio before deciding. However, the judge dismissed their case without reviewing it.

Bissue then filed a judicial review application at the Supreme Court. He sought to quash the High Court’s decision and stop further hearings on his case.

According to Bissue’s lawyers, the Supreme Court directed the High Court to determine if the arrest warrant was lawfully obtained. Following this ruling, the OSP expects to cross-examine Bissue's legal team in court.

After proceedings, Bissue’s lawyer emphasized this case's significance for future legal authority of the OSP regarding arrest warrants.

In related news, tomorrow, a Criminal Court will consider a plea agreement involving Thomas Andy Owusu. He is also accused in Republic v. Charles Bissue and Another.