A member of the Convention People's Party (CPP) Kwame Jantuah has described the controversy surrounding the arrest and detention of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu as "a storm in a teacup," arguing that both sides failed to exercise restraint during the confrontation.

Kpebu was arrested last week, after a dispute with security personnel, an incident that has since triggered criticism of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

But speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (6 December) Jantuah said the public debate has conflated issues, noting that Kpebu's own claims were directed at the Special Prosecutor personally, not the institution.

"For me, this is a real storm in a teacup. The arrest of Martin Kpebu and why he was there are two different things," he said. "Martin's accusation is to the Special Prosecutor and not the OSP."

Jantuah said the situation could have been defused if "tolerance" had been shown on both sides. He argued that Kpebu could have walked away when a soldier made remarks that reportedly triggered the dispute, while the OSP's operatives could also have opted for a less confrontational response.

"The fact that you wear a uniform means you are there to serve Ghana, and you should be mindful of what you say," Jantuah added, calling the conduct of the soldier involved into question.

He urged the military hierarchy to investigate the officer's remarks, saying the incident raised legitimate concerns about professionalism in the security services.

"Our police do a lot of things, and they don't respect them. That uniform is law; it shows that you are in charge of the law," he said. "The military high command should call him and question him, but unfortunately, nothing like that has happened."

The Armed Forces have not commented publicly on the matter.

Martin Kpebu was released on Wednesday (3 December) after being detained by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for allegedly obstructing an officer during a scheduled appearance at the agency.

Kpebu had honoured an invitation to respond to corruption allegations he recently made against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, but was arrested following what officials described as an altercation with security personnel.

He was granted bail on conditions requiring proof of landed property and one surety.

Lawyers for Kpebu told local media they returned to the OSP to complete the bail process, only to find that he was no longer in custody.

Speaking to a reporter for the Accra-based TV3 after his release, Kpebu described his detention as "needless" and insisted he had committed no offence.

He confirmed an exchange with a military officer at the OSP. "The military officer said I am stupid, and I also said he is stupid," Kpebu said.

He accused Agyebeng of incompetence and repeated his plan to petition President John Mahama for the removal of the Special Prosecutor.

Kpebu has previously argued that he cannot be investigated by officers who report directly to Agyebeng, saying such committees are not independent.

Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).

Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).

Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.

Follow us:

X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073

Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3

LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5

Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.

YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.

Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.

#AsaaseRadio

#AsaasePa

#TheVoiceofOurLand

Kpebu's lawyers have indicated they may challenge the legality of his detention. The incident has fueled another round of debate over the conduct of security agencies and the boundaries of the OSP's authority.