Former President John Dramani Mahama, visibly relieved, has expressed his satisfaction with the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) report clearing him of any wrongdoing in the Airbus case.
Mahama, addressing attendees at a lecture marking the 10th anniversary of the death of PV Obeng in Kumasi on August 9, described the OSP’s findings as a significant vindication.
Mahama emphasized that no allegations of corruption, including those related to the Airbus scandal, have been substantiated against him since he left office over seven years ago.
He praised the OSP’s report for confirming his innocence and reiterated his unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability.
“We in the NDC do not place ourselves above society,” Mahama stated. “We are humble and honest enough to submit ourselves to investigative bodies when necessary.
After more than seven years out of office, no allegation of wrongdoing, including the unfounded Airbus claims, has been proven against me.”
The OSP’s report, released on August 8, identified Mahama as ‘Government Official One’ in the Airbus SE case.
However, the report clarified that Mahama was the Vice President of Ghana from January 7, 2009, to July 24, 2012, during the period in question.
The Airbus scandal involved Ghana’s acquisition of three C295 military aircraft.
The first was delivered in November 2011, the second in April 2012, and the third in November 2015.
The deals, aimed at modernizing Ghana’s Air Force, were controversial. Funding was sourced from various loans and parliamentary approvals.
The UK’s Crown Court in Southwark recently ruled on the Airbus bribery case, approving a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) between the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Airbus.
This agreement, which avoids immediate prosecution, follows investigations revealing widespread bribery by Airbus to secure contracts in multiple countries, including Ghana.
The court’s judgment noted that while Airbus engaged in bribery, including attempts to influence Ghanaian officials through intermediaries, no direct link to Mahama was established.
The DPA allows Airbus to avoid prosecution, provided it complies with the agreement’s terms, although further legal action could be taken against individuals involved in the bribery.
Mahama’s comments underscore his belief in his innocence and his unwavering readiness to address any claims of corruption with utmost transparency.
The OSP’s findings provide a measure of reassurance for Mahama, affirming his stance against the allegations that have shadowed his post-presidency years.
