A Deputy Director of Communication of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu Bempah, has charged the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to speed up its investigations into the Airbus bribery scandal.
According to him, it is very important that a finality be brought to the matter and the persons found culpable prosecuted.
In a petition to the OSP on Friday, September 15, the outspoken politician insisted the office has not addressed the matter seriously.
“I may not be a lawyer, but I suspect if those countries can benefit from fines from Airbus for corruption, of which our country was the real victim, then we believe that your investigations, if they yield success, can create an even bigger case for Ghana to also seek compensation from Airbus for the damage caused to our national treasury.”
Respectfully, sir, the nonchalant attitude being deployed on this matter ought to give way to real action,” he said.
The issue has become topical recently following President Akufo-Addo’s comments at the 2023 Ghana Bar Conference in Cape Coast.
According to the president, former president John Dramani Mahama has been identified as “Government Official No.1” in the scandal.
“Not only are these concepts of “NPP” and “NDC” judges new in our public discourse, they are also extremely dangerous, and represent the most brazen attack on the independence of the judiciary by any allegedly responsible politician of the 4th Republic.
“They provide another reason, if more were needed, why right-thinking citizens should ensure the defeat in 2024 of the man whom the first Special Prosecutor identified as Government Official No.1, in the still unresolved Airbus Bribery Scandal,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The Airbus scandal is one of many cases that former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu started investigating.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama and his brother, Samuel Mahama, were identified by Mr Amidu as subjects of this inquiry.
Also, the current Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, says he is seeking the assistance of Interpol on this matter.
