OSP, Charles Bissue case: Third accused's motion for stay rejected by Court of Appeal

The criminal trial involving Charles Bissue, Raphael Mensah and Dr Naa Dedei Tagoe will continue after the Court of Appeal rejected an attempt to suspend proceedings.

The application had been filed by Dr Naa Dedei Tagoe, the third accused in the case, who was seeking a stay of proceedings pending further challenge to a ruling made by the High Court.

At the centre of the dispute was an earlier decision by the trial court on 9 December 2025, directing that the first prosecution witness testify in camera.

Dr Tagoe’s lawyers argued that allowing part of the evidence to be taken outside the full public view of the court could affect the accused persons’ constitutional right to a fair and public hearing.

On that basis, the defence urged the Court of Appeal to intervene and halt the proceedings, contending that the circumstances were exceptional.

The prosecution resisted the application, arguing that no real or irreparable prejudice had been shown.

It also maintained that the High Court had already built adequate safeguards into its ruling to protect the rights of the accused and avoid any injustice.

After considering arguments from both sides, the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) concluded that the threshold for a stay had not been met.

The court held that the applicant had failed to demonstrate the exceptional circumstances required and dismissed the application as lacking merit.

The decision clears the way for the matter to continue at the High Court, where the three accused are facing allegations of receiving bribes and improper gifts in connection with the alleged fast-tracking of a mining concession sticker for an unlicensed company.