The UK and Ireland branch of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has responded to allegations by British media that former President John Mahama was involved in the infamous Airbus bribery scandal.
In a release, the branch insinuated that the publications by newspapers like The Sun which, together with other UK tabloids, were planted by the NPP government in an attempt to tarnish the image of former President Mahama.
“The NPP, knowing too well that they are fast losing ground as far as the 2020 election is concerned, are desperate to taint the political reputation of former President John Mahama whose image keeps soaring both home and abroad,” the statement said.
Signed by Mike Dzidula Kudiabor, Secretary to the UK/Ireland Chapter of the NDC, the statement pointed out that the Government is trying to create an impression that the former President made corrupt money from the scandal even though the Government of Ghana did not lose any money.
“President Akuffo Addo tasked the Special Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the alleged bribery scandal although the UK’s Serious Fraud Office, in its Statement of Facts, did not name the Airbus agents or the Ghanaian government officials who were allegedly involved in the crime. The Deferred Prosecution Agreement had coded names so no reference was made to any specific names.”
“Another interesting fact is that, the government of Ghana has not lost any money in this whole Aircraft deal saga, so why this inept, clueless and corrupt Akuffo Addo government has decided to spend millions of Ghanaian taxpayers’ cedis to go on this wild goose chase, beats everybody’s imagination,” the statement pointed out.
The case has to do with some people, including at least one person connected to former President Mahama, serving as middlemen to help Airbus SE get a contract from the Mahama government to supply planes to Ghana.
Samuel Mahama, who is said to be a brother of former President Mahama is said to have been involved together with a friend, Sean Middlemiss.
President Akufo-Addo had gotten Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu to open an investigation into the allegations.
Mr. Amidu has since invited Samuel Mahama, Sean Middlemiss and two others, Sarah Davis and Sara Furneaux for a probe.
These middlemen were not named in the UK Crown Court judgment which slapped Airbus with almost $4billion fine, however, the media reports have strengthened allegations that they are the people involved.
“According to the January 31, 2020 judgment by the Crown Court at Southwark in the UK concerning the case between the Director of Serious Fraud Office and Airbus SE, the court established that bribe was paid to some so-called government officials between 2012 and 2014. Airbus SE was then fined $3.9billion for payment of bribes. However, no specific names were mentioned, and this has given rise to needless speculations and innuendos,” NDC UK/Ireland statement said.