Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has raised concerns about former President John Dramani Mahama’s brother, Foster Mahama’s involvement in the Airbus bribery scandal.
On the Key Points show on TV3, Kpebu questioned the potential impact of Foster Mahama’s money, implying it could significantly benefit John Mahama’s political campaigns.
Kpebu emphasized that while the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) found no direct evidence of bribery against John Mahama, his brother’s involvement in the scandal raised serious questions.
He suggested that the absence of evidence in the OSP’s report does not necessarily mean no wrongdoing occurred, as the situation could evolve if new evidence emerges.
Kpebu expressed scepticism about the finality of the OSP’s findings, stating that the matter still needs to be fully resolved. He remarked, “John Mahama is lucky because of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia corruption,” suggesting that focusing on the current administration’s issues might overshadow the Airbus scandal.
The OSP had identified John Mahama as ‘Government Official One’ in the Airbus case, acknowledging that UK and US courts had recognized him as a significant figure in the scandal.
However, the OSP’s investigation did not find conclusive evidence of bribery directly linked to Mahama.
The Airbus scandal involved bribery allegations related to Ghana’s purchase of military aircraft. The UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) had found that Airbus engaged in bribery to secure contracts, including those with Ghana.
The company agreed to pay over £3 billion in fines under a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA), which allows for the possibility of further prosecution if terms are not met.
The controversy centres around payments made to intermediaries, one of whom was connected to a high-ranking Ghanaian official. The Spanish third-party company involved in the transactions was implicated in facilitating these bribes.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption in international deals and the influence of high-ranking officials and their associates.
Despite the DPA’s conclusion, investigations into the individuals involved in the bribery schemes may continue.
