Airbus Scandal: How some key political figures reacted to Mahama's exoneration

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has cleared the flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, of all allegations in the controversial Airbus scandal.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, August 8, 2024, Kissi Agyebeng disclosed that investigations conducted into the scandal found no wrongdoing against Mahama and other individuals involved, thus clearing him of any misconduct.

Kissi Agyebeng subsequently directed the closure of all investigations into the case, which has been ongoing for several years.

This follows a referral from President Akufo-Addo to the OSP to investigate allegations of bribery involving high-ranking government officials by Airbus SE, through intermediaries, in respect of the sale of military transport aircraft by Airbus SE to Ghana between 2009 and 2015.

Following Mahama’s exoneration by the OSP, major political personalities have expressed their sentiments.

GhanaWeb takes a look at how some of the political personalities reacted to the news:

Sammy Gyamfi

A few hours after OSP’s declaration, Sammy Gyamfi, in a post on his official X account on August 8, 2024, said, "Lies, they say, have a short life span. And vindication, they say, is in the womb of time. Once again, H.E. John Dramani Mahama has been vindicated, as the Office of Special Prosecutor has exonerated him of any wrongdoing in the Airbus saga.

“The evil smear agenda by the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia “agyapadie” cabal, who are desperately looking for corruption classmates, has failed.

“Seven and a half years after leaving office, John Mahama remains squeaky clean with unblemished integrity. Certainly, John Mahama is the incorruptible leader Ghana needs to win the fight against corruption,” his post read.

Franklin Cudjoe

The IMANI president commended the special prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, for his thoroughness in the investigation and the subsequent delivery of his findings.

He posted on his X account on August 8, 2024, saying, “OSP! Such thoroughness! John Dramani Mahama is exonerated as there is no evidence of corruption in the Airbus scandal!”

Felix Kwakye Ofosu

The former Deputy Information Minister described the entire Airbus investigation as "nonsense," citing that the OSP’s findings have revealed it to be just that.

“The NPP's Airbus nonsense is shown for what it has always been: nonsense!” he posted on X on August 8, 2024.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye

Presidential Staffer Dennis Miracles on Thursday, August 8, 2024, expressed excitement over the OSP’s report, which revealed that Mahama was named the ‘Government Official one’, a tag given by US courts during its own investigation into the Airbus scandal.

According to him, Ghanaians should never elect a president who will subject the country to shame.

"Finally, the country gets to know who Government Official 1 is. It took a while, but now we know. It brought global shame, but we shall surely get out of it. Never again should we put our country in the hands of a leader who brings such global shame,” he posted on his Facebook page.

Andy Appiah-Kubi

The Member of Parliament (MP)for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has called for the Attorney General to take up the Airbus scandal case for investigations following the closure of the case by the special prosecutor.

According to him, the investigation done by the OSP has been unsatisfactory.

Speaking on Hot Edition on 3FM on August 8, 2024, he said, “In the first place, the process of the investigation and prosecution did not even start well, and that’s how we are here. The prosecution has been lowered and undermined, and it does not augur well. I am disappointed.

“The Office of the Special Prosecutor is under the Attorney-General, and because his work has been unsatisfactory, we know that crime and legal prosecution have no time limitation, so the Attorney-General can also investigate and prosecute the case,” he said.

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Okudzeto Ablakwa

In response to the findings, the North Tongu lawmaker called on President Akufo-Addo to direct investigations into the ambulance spare parts scandal, noting how he referred Mahama’s case to the OSP for investigation.

“It is quite astonishing to learn from the OSP’s report exonerating former President Mahama the extent to which President Akufo-Addo went in referring President Mahama to the OSP and further requesting the OSP to collaborate with its United Kingdom and other foreign counterparts to conduct a prompt inquiry.

“If President Akufo-Addo wants us to believe that he was not on a frenzied witch hunt like his predecessor, can he demonstrate the same zeal and commitment in the ongoing OSP investigations into the conduct of the politically exposed business partners of his daughters in the sleazy US$34.9million (GHS545million) ambulance spare parts scandal?

“The fight against corruption cannot be won if a president consistently turns a blind eye to massive corruption within his government and his family but suddenly becomes a busybody when he thinks he’s found a golden opportunity to crucify political opponents,” he posted on X on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Haruna Mohammed

The Deputy General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has criticised the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), accusing the anti-corruption agency of executing a "lazy job" in its investigation of the Airbus bribery scandal.

Speaking on JoyNews on August 8, 2024, Haruna Mohammed argued that the OSP failed to thoroughly investigate the matter, particularly by not obtaining the UK court ruling that referred to former President John Mahama as "Government Official 1."

"The OSP has done a lazy job because you can’t conclude by saying that you don’t have all the facts at hand; hence, you cannot prosecute the case. Did he go to the UK to ask for the judgment? What was the material used in the judgment in the UK? Has he been denied the judgment?" myjoyonline.com quoted what he said during the interview.

Meanwhile, the office of John Dramani, in a statement on August 8, 2024, expressed satisfaction with the OSP’s ruling, exonerating him of any wrongdoing.





MAG/OGB