OSP vs Charles Bissue: Second accused settles for plea bargain

The Accra High Court has granted a one-week adjournment in a corruption case. This allows time for a plea bargain involving Andy Thomas Owusu. He is the second accused in the Office of the Special Prosecutor's case against Charles Bissue.

During Thursday's hearing, state prosecutors updated Justice Kwame Asante. They said discussions are ongoing with Owusu's legal team. Owusu faces multiple corruption-related charges alongside former official Charles Bissue.

Background

Both men are on trial for 15 criminal charges filed by the OSP. These charges were submitted to the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra on April 28. They allege that between January and February 2019, Bissue accepted bribes totaling GH₵35,000 from Benjamin Adjapong. He allegedly did this directly and through Owusu to renew a mining license without proper documentation.

In return, Bissue reportedly issued fraudulent permits for ORR Resources Enterprise. This case relates to the 'Galamsey Fraud' investigation documented in a 2019 report by Tiger Eye P.I.

Although Bissue was initially cleared by the previous government, the OSP reopened the case. They have since moved forward with criminal prosecutions.

The IMCIM was established in 2017 to combat illegal mining but was dissolved in 2021 due to scandals. These included allegations of misappropriating excavators and gold nuggets involving Bissue.

In November 2024, the Human Rights Court dismissed Charles Bissue’s final suit against the OSP. This suit aimed to prevent his arrest or investigation by the office.

Bissue had previously secured a 10-day injunction against his arrest. He claimed that an arrest warrant was unlawfully obtained and intended to harass him.

He also sought to declare a notice marking him as wanted as void. The court found his claims unfounded and lacking evidence.

The central issue was whether an arrest warrant had been issued against Bissue by Kaneshie District Court for OSP purposes. The court ruled it was Bissue’s duty to prove such a warrant existed, which he failed to do.

The judge concluded no warrant had been issued and dismissed his claim as imaginary. Costs of GHC10,000 were awarded against him.

This ruling allowed the OSP to continue investigating Mr. Bissue’s involvement with IMCIM and pursue separate corruption charges related to allegations in Tiger Eye P.I.'s documentary "Galamsey Fraud Part 1."