Airbus Scandal: Mahama should've known his proximity dealings with his brother would raise eyebrows – OSP

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng has provided details of its investigations into the alleged Airbus bribery scandal.

Addressing the press on Thursday, August 8, the Special Prosecutor said former President John Dramani Mahama should have known that his proximity dealings with his brother Samuel Adam Mahama would raise eyebrows.

“Former President Mahama should have known that his proximity dealings with his brother in the purchase of the 3 Airbus military aircraft would raise eyebrows regardless of his good intentions,” Kissi Agyebeng said.

Ghana bought three Military Airplanes - C295s - from Airbus. The nation received its first C295 in November 2011. The second aircraft was obtained in April 2012 and the third in November 2015.

The deals covering them were argued at the time to align with the 2009-2012 Strategic Plan of the Ghana Armed Forces.

All three purchases, approved by Ghana's Parliament after heated disagreements on the floor, were roundly marketed by the government of the day as a drive to modernize Ghana's Air Force.

However, the deal would later be marred by corruption allegations against the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

After it investigated the Airbus Scandal, the Special Prosecutor has cleared the former president of any corruption allegations.

“The OSP found no evidentiary basis that suggests that Samuel Adam Foster also known as Samuel Adam Mahama, and Sarah Davies received payment from Airbus with the intention of bribing former President John Dramani Mahama or any other public official.

“Further, the OSP found no evidential basis that suggests that former President John Dramani Mahama or any other public official was paid bribes by Samuel Adam Foster also known as Samuel Adam Mahama in respect of the purchase of Government of Ghana military transport aircraft from Airbus,” Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said at his press briefing on Thursday.