The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality in its investigation of the Airbus scandal, which had previously identified former President John Dramani Mahama as “Government Official 1.” The OSP stated that despite thorough examination of all available evidence, it found no proof of bribery involving Mahama or any other individuals.
In a statement on X, the OSP emphasized its rigorous and unbiased approach: “Throughout the investigations, the OSP upheld an impartial approach, rigorously assessing all available evidence and safeguarding the process from external interference.”
The OSP’s findings follow a comprehensive investigation into the Airbus SE case, where Mahama was identified by both UK and US courts as “Government Official 1.” This identification was confirmed during a press briefing on August 8, where the OSP clarified that Mahama, who served as Ghana’s Vice President from January 7, 2009, to July 24, 2012, held the designation during the period in question.
Background on the Airbus Scandal
The scandal revolves around Ghana’s purchase of three military aircraft, the C295s, from Airbus. These purchases were made between 2011 and 2015, aligning with the 2009-2012 Strategic Plan of the Ghana Armed Forces. The aircraft were acquired to modernize the Ghana Air Force, with funding from loans approved by Parliament, despite heated debates and accusations of inflated contract sums by opposition figures.
One aircraft was used for United Nations missions in Mali, while the others were intended for surveillance, border patrol, and troop transportation. Despite the controversy, the government proceeded with the agreements, including additional plans to acquire more military equipment.
UK Court’s Judgment and Implications
The issue gained renewed attention following a judgment by England’s Crown Court in Southwark, which approved a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) between the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Airbus SE. The investigation revealed that Airbus had engaged in widespread bribery across several countries, including Ghana, between 2011 and 2015.
The court documents detailed schemes in which Airbus officials bribed intermediaries connected to high-ranking Ghanaian officials to secure contracts. Although specific names were not mentioned, the timeframe coincided with Mahama’s tenure as Vice President and President.
One such scheme involved a €5 million bribe, disguised as a commission to an intermediary promoting Airbus’ proposal to sell aircraft to Ghana. Due to internal investigations and exposure of the dubious arrangements, some payments were stopped. However, further deals succeeded, resulting in Ghana’s purchase of three C295 aircraft, with payments funneled through a Spanish third-party company to disguise the true nature of the transactions.
The DPA, while shielding Airbus from immediate prosecution, leaves the door open for future legal actions if the company fails to comply with its terms. The SFO may still pursue charges against individuals involved in the bribery, including intermediaries and related officials in Ghana.
