The Office of the Special Prosecutor has exonerated former President John Mahama from any acts of corruption in the controversial Airbus bribery scandal.

In 2020, former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu accused Mr Mahama as the mysterious 'Government Official 1' in the scandal that trailed the procurement of aircraft from manufacturer Airbus for the Government of Ghana.

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Despite refuting the accusation, members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have maintained that the former president was involved in the bribery scandal.

Four years on, the current Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng has set the records straight in his latest update on the Airbus bribery scandal, saying neither the former president nor his UK-based brother, Adam Mahama, were bribed.

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At a press conference on Thursday, Mr Agyebeng said his outfit upon investigating the case found "no evidence" of corruption against the former President.

According to him, the processes leading to the purchase of the Military Aircraft met all procurement standards.

“The OSP investigation found no evidence that former President Mahama was involved or played any role in the procurement and maintenance of the agency relationship between Airbus and Foster and his associates in respect of the purchase by the Government of Ghana of military transport aircraft from Airbus.

“And it appears to the OSP that the direct communications and meetings between former President Mahama and officials of Airbus to close the deal were actuated by good intentions on the part of the former,” he stated.

Nonetheless, the Special Prosecutor expressed concern over Mr Mahama’s communications with Airbus officials in the purchase of the aircraft.

He highlighted the potential conflicts of interest and the appearance of improper conduct.

“It ought reasonably to have occurred to former President Mahama and the Government of Ghana that the familial relationship between former President Mahama and Foster and the direct participation by former President Mahama in the communications and meetings with Airbus officials were bound to raise reasonable suspicions of improper conduct and dealings notwithstanding any claims to good faith conduct and above board dealings,” he said.

Mr Agyebeng therefore advised against the direct involvement of the President and Vice President in commercial dealings on behalf of the state.

“The direct participation of the President and the Vice President (on behalf of the Republic) in commercial communications and meetings with commercial entities should not be encouraged either – as they expose these elected high officials to the spectre of the slightest hint of perceived corruption that may attend international business transactions,” he stated.

Watch the full press conference below: