The recent announcement by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) regarding its investigation into the Airbus ‘scandal’ has triggered a wave of reactions across Ghana’s political landscape.
The exoneration of former President John Dramani Mahama by the OSP, clearing him of any wrongdoing in the long-standing case, has been met with varying responses from members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
For the NDC, the OSP ruling reaffirms its long-held belief in Mr Mahama’s integrity and leadership, while for the NPP, it raises questions about the thoroughness of the investigation.
In a statement released by Joyce Bawah Mogtari Esq., Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, the former President’s Office expressed profound satisfaction with the OSP’s ruling.
According to Mrs Mogtari, the outcome of the investigation validates what they have always known: “former President John Dramani Mahama is a leader of integrity, committed to the principles of honesty and transparency”.
“The facts of this case have been available, and the public has observed the machinations behind the scenes—including the disingenuous attempts by the current ruling government to exploit this matter for political gain.
“Despite the UK’s Serious Fraud Office clarifying that Mahama’s brother and others involved had no case to answer, the ruling government persisted in framing this scandal as a tool for political advantage”.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari Esq., Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama
The OSP’s ruling, Mrs Mogtari emphasized serves as a vindication of Mr Mahama’s unwavering stance that he had nothing to hide and had always been willing to cooperate with any investigation.
President Akufo-Addo’s Involvement in Airbus Scandal Investigation
The statement also highlighted the troubling revelation by the OSP that President Akufo-Addo personally requested that Mr Mahama be investigated.
This, according to Mrs. Mogtari, casts a darker shadow on the motives behind the initial accusations, suggesting that the charges were not just baseless but also part of a calculated effort to tarnish Mr Mahama’s reputation and diminish his chances in the political arena.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the Spokesperson for the National Democratic Congress flagbearer concluded her statement with a call for transparency and accountability.
She challenged Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and President Akufo-Addo to subject themselves to the same level of scrutiny that Mahama has faced.
“Mahama remains committed to Ghana’s progress and the fight against corruption in all its forms,” the statement affirmed, signalling that the former President is undeterred by the challenges thrown his way and is more determined than ever to advocate for a better Ghana.
However, a Deputy General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed criticized the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for what he described as a “lazy job” in its investigation into the Airbus scandal.
Mr Mohammed, in a scathing critique, argued that the OSP should have sought the court ruling from the UK, which referred to former President John Mahama as “Government Official 1,” given the shared legal framework under common law.
He further elaborated that a thorough examination of the UK court’s judgement, which includes the opinions and legal references of the judges, could have provided the necessary evidence to build a stronger case.
“The OSP has done a lazy job because you can’t conclude by saying that you don’t have all the facts at hand; hence you cannot prosecute the case. Did he go to ask for the judgement? What was the material used in the judgement in the UK? Has he been denied the judgement?”
Haruna Mohammed, Deputy General Secretary, New Patriotic Party
The exoneration of former President Mahama by the OSP is not just a legal victory as it carries significant political implications, particularly as the December 7 polls approach.
With his name cleared, Mr Mahama’s campaign is likely to gain renewed momentum, capitalizing on the narrative that he has been unjustly targeted by his political opponents.
This development could also galvanize NDC supporters, boosting their morale and increasing their resolve to secure a victory for Mr Mahama in the upcoming elections.
However, the NPP may find itself on the defensive, needing to justify its actions and counter the narrative that it sought to exploit the Airbus scandal for political gain.
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