The Office of the Special Prosecutor is cautioning Ghanaians against partisan politicization of the Airbus scandal involving an unnamed past official of the erstwhile NDC government of former president John Dramani Mahama.
In a short four (4) paragraph statement, the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Martin Amidu, acknowledged receipt of the president’s referral letter and has promised to institute investigations into the deferred prosecution agreement of the UK Crown Court that’s at the center of the entire scandal.
“The Special Prosecutor has determined that the said referral and deferred prosecution agreements and judgments accompanying them raise a reasonable suspicion of the commission of corruption and corruption-related offenses of bribery of public officers and the use of public office by public officers for private profit. A preliminary investigation has accordingly been opened.”
“The Office of the Special Prosecutor appeals to the public not to speculate or politicize the disclosures so as to allow this Office to treat these as suspected crimes simpliciter, pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
The president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo referred for a probe into accusations of bribery by European planemaker Airbus to ensure the purchase of three military planes between 2009 and 2015 were not compromised or that it didn’t result in a financial loss to the state.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was in power at the time has denied the bribery claims in a statement.
“The reports alleging that Airbus SE paid bribes during the administration of President John Atta Mills and John Mahama are false,” the statement said.
