OSP Airbus Report is a Pleasant Vindication – John Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed satisfaction with the findings of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) regarding the Airbus scandal, stating that the report serves as a “pleasant vindication” of his innocence.

The OSP’s investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by Mahama in the controversial Airbus deal, a matter that has lingered for more than seven years since he left office. Mahama emphasized that no corruption allegation, including the Airbus ‘scandal,’ has been proven against him during this time.

“We in the NDC do not place ourselves above society; we are humble and honest enough to submit ourselves to investigative bodies if a basis for it arises. Relatedly, I have been out of office for more than 7 years and several months, and no allegation of wrongdoing has been proven against me, including the baseless Airbus brouhaha that this government attempted to clothe me with. Once again today, I say it is a pleasant feeling to stand vindicated,” the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer remarked during a lecture at the 10th anniversary of the death of PV Obeng in Kumasi on Friday, August 9.

The OSP, during a press briefing on Thursday, August 8, identified Mahama as ‘Government Official One’ in the Airbus SE case. The courts in the UK and US had previously linked a high-ranking Ghanaian official to the case, which the OSP confirmed was Mahama.

The Airbus scandal involves the purchase of three Military Airplanes – C295s – by Ghana, which were argued to be in line with the 2009-2012 Strategic Plan of the Ghana Armed Forces. The deals were approved by Ghana’s Parliament, despite heated disagreements and allegations of corruption, including claims that the contract sums were padded.

The UK’s Crown Court in Southwark recently approved a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) between the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Airbus SE, which exposed massive bribery scandals involving the aircraft manufacturer. The judgement noted that Airbus had engaged in schemes to bribe intermediaries to secure contracts in several countries, including Ghana.

Despite these findings, Mahama has maintained that the allegations against him are baseless, and the OSP’s report further solidifies his stance. The report and Mahama’s comments come at a critical time, as he continues to campaign as the NDC’s flagbearer ahead of the upcoming elections.