Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu says he would have interrogated NDC's Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama if not for the upcoming elections.
Mr. Amidu says the former President who is seeking re-election is the infamous 'Government Official 1' whose “brother is Samuel Adam Mahama”.
These statements form part of a risk assessment report the Office of the Special Prosecutor submitted to government on the Agyapa Royalties Agreement.
Mr. Amidu goes beyond the Agyapa deal to give an update on some of the key cases his office has been investigating.
The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) in July issued a Red Notice for Samuel Adam Fosters aka Samuel Adam Mahama in connection with his role in the Airbus bribery scandal.
He is being sought for allegedly accepting bribe to influence a public officer and acting in collaboration with a public officer for the public officer’s private gain.
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
Ghana is one of five countries in which the European aviation giant, Airbus, paid or attempted to pay millions of dollars in bribes in exchange for contracts, leading a court in Britain to slap a fine of £3 billion on the company.
In court documents and hearings, Airbus admitted five counts of failing to prevent bribery, using a network of secret agents to pay large-scale backhanders to officials in foreign countries, including Ghana, to land high-value contracts.
The scheme was run by a unit at Airbus’ French headquarters, which its one-time Chief Executive, Tom Enders, reportedly called “bullshit castle”.
According to the report, there are six key actors involved in the scandal regarding Ghana.
Investigators from the UK’s SFO identified them only as Government Official 1 (high ranking and elected), Intermediary 5 (British national and close relative of Government Official 1), Company D (corporate vehicle for Intermediary 5 – shareholder), Intermediary 6 (British national and associate of Intermediary 5), Intermediary 7 (British national and associate of Intermediary 5), as well as Intermediary 8 (Spanish company and front for Intermediary 5).
Mr. Amidu says his probe has so far revealed that three blood brothers engaged in forgery and deceived a public officer to obtain a passport for Samuel Adam Mahama.
He goes on to explain why he has not interrogated the NDC candidate.
“The only reason the former President has not been invited for interrogation is the fact that he got himself an insurance as the Presidential candidate of the other largest political party in Ghana and prudence dictated that the Interrogation be held in abeyance during this election season.
"The former President has also not offered to make any voluntary statement to this office,” Mr. Amidu said in the statement.
Latest Stories
-
PSG clinch Ligue 1 title after Lyon’s win over Monaco
2 hours -
Guinness Ghana sets the pace at Ghana Beverage Awards with six awards
2 hours -
Burkina Faso suspends BBC, VOA radio broadcasts over killings coverage
2 hours -
Nicole Kidman honoured with AFI Life Achievement Award
2 hours -
Brassier scores winner for Brest as they edge Rennes to secure European football
3 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Akufo-Addo jabs independent candidate; refutes allegations to rig elections
3 hours -
‘What are the real causes of the erratic power outages?’ GUTA demands from ECG
3 hours -
Implementing ESG framework in Ghana’s energy sector for sustainability
4 hours -
CAFCC: Dreams FC exit competition after 3-0 defeat in Kumasi
4 hours -
The detrimental effects of political interference on Ghana’s electricity sustainability
4 hours -
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s appointment as running mate intimidates the NPP – Benjamin Quashie
4 hours -
Black Stars physical trainer dead
4 hours -
Bawumia to kick off nationwide campaign for Election 2024 tomorrow
4 hours -
GUTA charges ECG to provide ‘dumsor’ timetable for businesses to plan
4 hours -
Reason for training professional counsellors is to heal a hurting world – CCP president
6 hours