Court throws out OSP's application seeking to freeze Dr Sledge’s properties

The decision marks a significant legal setback for the anti-corruption body in its ongoing investigations involving Dr. Sledge and Goldridge Refinery Limited.

Presided over by Justice Samuel Djanie Kotey, the court ruled against the OSP’s request brought under Section 39 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

The application had sought the court’s approval to keep assets already frozen by the OSP under restraint while investigations continue.

The judge upheld arguments presented in an affidavit in opposition filed by Cardinal Law Group, lawyers for Dr. Sledge, led by private legal practitioner Alex Kofi Osei-Owusu.

The defence successfully challenged the basis upon which the OSP wanted the freeze confirmed, prompting the court to dismiss the motion.

Properties Listed in the Freeze Application

In its motion, the OSP had asked the court to confirm the freezing of several high-value vehicles and other items linked to Dr. Sledge and some of his family members.

The assets listed included an unregistered Rolls-Royce Masonry Phantom S/C, two Mercedes-Benz vehicles, two bullion vans, a Lexus SUV, and two Toyota Land Cruisers.

The application also covered ornaments, jewellery, and other personal effects belonging to Dr. Sledge, which the OSP wanted restrained as part of its asset preservation measures.

Court Proceedings and Written Submissions

The hearing of the motion, according to court records, was originally scheduled for December 3, 2025. During proceedings, the OSP requested that the matter be determined through written submissions rather than oral arguments.

Justice Kotey granted the request and directed all parties to file and serve their legal addresses ahead of a ruling fixed for January 23, 2026.

On that date, the court adjourned the matter to January 29, 2026, to allow the respondents — Dr. Sledge, Goldridge Refinery Ltd., Evelyn Duodo and Ama Duodo — to serve the OSP with their submissions.

The court further allowed the OSP the option of filing supplementary submissions if it wished to respond to the arguments raised by the defence.

The respondents were represented by a team of lawyers, including Alex Kofi Osei-Owusu for Dr. Sledge and Goldridge Refinery, JB Dankwah for the third respondent, and Eddie McCarthy for the fourth respondent.

The OSP was represented by Amos Tetteh Narh, who moved the application on behalf of the state.

Court Dismisses OSP Application

After considering the OSP’s motion, the affidavits in opposition, and the written addresses filed by both sides, the High Court dismissed the application in its entirety.

The ruling effectively lifts the OSP’s attempt to secure judicial backing to keep the listed properties frozen.

Background and Wider Implications

The decision comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny surrounding Dr. Sledge and Goldridge Refinery Limited, which have been linked to broader investigations into state gold trade programmes and alleged financial losses.

The OSP has in recent months intensified efforts to trace and preserve assets connected to suspected corruption and corruption-related offences, particularly in the extractive and minerals sector.

However, the court’s refusal to confirm the freeze highlights the growing legal contest between the OSP and individuals under investigation, and signals that asset recovery efforts must meet strict procedural and evidential thresholds.

While the dismissal does not end the underlying investigations, it represents an important courtroom victory for Dr. Sledge and his legal team, and raises fresh questions about how far the OSP can go in restraining private property before prosecution is secured.