After seven years of legal battles that he says have cost him his reputation, career, and even contributed to the death of his mother, former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue, has issued an emotional open letter to the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, declaring that he does not support a nolle prosequi and wants his trial to continue.
In the letter, Mr. Bissue recounts the personal toll of the prolonged prosecution, which began in 2019 following allegations made in an investigative documentary by Tiger Eye P.I. . He states that he voluntarily stepped aside from his position seven years ago to allow for an unhindered investigation and has since complied with every invitation from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
“My life, my career and my reputation remained on hold while I waited for my day in court,” Mr. Bissue writes.
He details the “unimaginable burden” the case has placed on his family, revealing that his late mother suffered two heart attacks during the ordeal, which he describes as “one of the greatest tragedies of my life.”
The case involves allegations concerning GH¢20,000, but Mr. Bissue insists his concern has never been the amount, but rather “fairness, transparency, consistency and equal justice under the law.” He challenges the prosecution to present its evidence in full, specifically calling for the complete, unedited video footage of the documentary to be tendered in court, rather than the selected excerpts he claims have been presented so far.
“The courtroom, not the court of public opinion, is where evidence must be tested,” he asserts.
Mr. Bissue has also raised questions about the Special Prosecutor’s own history, noting that before his appointment, Mr. Agyebeng acted as counsel for investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas . He attached excerpts from official records regarding Mr. Agyebeng’s former law practice and referenced public writings by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu concerning matters Mr. Agyebeng was involved in prior to his current role. Mr. Bissue insists his purpose is to “call for transparency, consistency and fairness.”
The letter comes after the OSP filed 15 new corruption-related charges against Mr. Bissue and one Andy Thomas Owusu on April 28, 2025 . The charges allege that between January and February 2019, Mr. Bissue accepted bribes totaling GH¢35,000 to fast-track the renewal of an expired mining licence for ORR Resources Enterprise .
Mr. Bissue has previously described the charges as “baseless,” stating he has always acted in compliance with the law . He has also been in a protracted legal battle with the OSP, including a failed attempt to have his passport released for travel to the UK and US .
In November 2024, the Human Rights Court dismissed a suit filed by Mr. Bissue aimed at preventing the OSP from arresting or charging him, ruling his claims that an arrest warrant had been issued against him were “a figment of his imagination”.
However, in June 2025, the Supreme Court overturned that High Court ruling, directing the lower court to determine whether the arrest warrant was lawfully obtained.
Despite this, Mr. Bissue’s message is clear: he is ready for trial.
“If the prosecution has evidence, let it present it,” he states.
“If the defence has evidence, let it challenge the prosecution’s case. If I unlawfully accepted even one cedi, let the Court convict me. If I did not, let the Court acquit me.”
The trial is currently scheduled to continue, with the OSP recently moving for an in-camera hearing to take testimony from an undercover journalist.
“Let the court hear the evidence. Let the court determine the truth. Let the trial continue,” Mr. Bissue concludes.
