News
Airbus Scandal: OSP found no evidence of bribery against former President Mahama
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng has cleared former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama of bribery in the Airbus case.
According to the OSP investigation, “They 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.”
The OSP went further to say that “In the reckoning of former President Mahama, the decision to acquire the C295s was taken professionally by the Ghana Air Force and the Military Command, in general, in the best interest of Ghana, and in broad consultation with relevant state institutions including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defence, and ultimately, Parliamentary approval. Therefore, any suggestion that he had corruptly or improperly influenced in any way the process of acquisition is simply fanciful and untrue.”
The report revealed that “ Former President Mahama opined that he believed the allegations of corruption levelled against him stemmed from the fact that Samuel Adam Foster, his brother, was involved in Airbus activities in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa at the time, and the suspicion was always that because of that familial relationship, Foster might have been a corrupting source for influencing Government’s decision to award the supply contract to Airbus. Former President Mahama stated that he had no hand whatsoever in the establishment of any relationship (formal or otherwise), which Foster had with Airbus.”
“Former President Mahama also admitted that he subsequently met one or other Airbus official in his office a couple of times in connection with the sale of the aircraft. He described the meetings as being invariably official engagements with one or other responsible state official present – the purpose of which was to discuss progress of the proposed sale of aircraft,” the OSP revealed.
The OSP’s investigation further disclosed that “Former President Mahama further stated he never received any bribe or inducement or gained any personal benefit or advantage from the procurement of the aircraft for Ghana. And that Airbus did not make any such allegation against him.”
“On his part, Samuel Adam Foster stated that he unequivocally denied the accusations against him that he was involved in any bribery activities with Ghanaian public officials or any individuals on behalf of Airbus. He recounted that from late 2009 to approximately 2015/16, he served legitimately as a consultant and business partner for Airbus, contributing across all its sectors, encompassing projects in Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Suriname as required by Airbus,” the report indicated.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full report by clicking on this link; osp.gov.gh/media/Resource
Management and staff of Owass FM have announced the passing of media personality, comedian and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto following a medical emergency during a live morning show discussion at the station earlier today.
According to the station, Dzokoto was participating in a panel discussion on its morning show “Oman Nkoso” when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
A statement from the station said its team immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor upon arrival.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the course of our regular programming. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who have been affected by his passing,” the statement said.
Management acknowledged that information about the incident is already circulating in the public domain, but appealed to the public and colleague media houses to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation regarding the circumstances of his death.
Owass FM extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seth Kwame Dzokoto.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The State through the Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of the trial in the case of The Republic v Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Seidu.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal suspended the trial in the case. But the prosecution says it has filed an appeal against the suspension order.
According to the update, the law does not allow a criminal trial to be suspended simply because an accused person has complained about some of the charges on the charge sheet, particularly when those complaints were dismissed as meritless.
It argues that if the Court of Appeal’s decision is allowed to stand, no prosecution will ever be possible, since all it would take for a trial to be suspended is an accused person complaining about anything on the charge sheet.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
