Airbus scandal: We found no evidence of corruption against Mahama – OSP

Former President John Mahama has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the contentious Airbus bribery case by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

2020 saw the accusation of Mr. Mahama as the enigmatic “Government Official 1” by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu in the crisis surrounding the Government of Ghana’s purchase of planes from Airbus.

Members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who have denied any involvement in the bribery affair, have insisted that the former president was engaged.

Four years later, in his most recent report on the Airbus bribery case, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has corrected the record, stating that neither the former president nor his brother Adam Mahama, who is based in the UK, were bribed.

Mr. Agyebeng stated during a news conference on Thursday that his team’s investigation into the matter revealed “no evidence” of corruption against the former President.

He said that all procurement standards were satisfied by the procedures that led to the acquisition of the military aircraft.

“The OSP investigation found no evidence that former President Mahama was involved or played any role in the procurement and maintenance of the agency relationship between Airbus and Foster and his associates in respect of the purchase by the Government of Ghana of military transport aircraft from Airbus.

“And it appears to the OSP that the direct communications and meetings between former President Mahama and officials of Airbus to close the deal were actuated by good intentions on the part of the former,” he stated.

However, the Special Prosecutor expressed worry over Mr. Mahama’s correspondence with Airbus representatives throughout the aircraft acquisition.

He drew attention to the apparent improper conduct and possible conflicts of interest.

“It ought reasonably to have occurred to former President Mahama and the Government of Ghana that the familial relationship between former President Mahama and Foster and the direct participation by former President Mahama in the communications and meetings with Airbus officials were bound to raise reasonable suspicions of improper conduct and dealings notwithstanding any claims to good faith conduct and above board dealings,” he said.

Mr. Agyebeng thus cautioned against the President and Vice President directly participating in business transactions on behalf of the state.

“The direct participation of the President and the Vice President (on behalf of the Republic) in commercial communications and meetings with commercial entities should not be encouraged either – as they expose these elected high officials to the spectre of the slightest hint of perceived corruption that may attend international business transactions,” he said.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com