Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, recently spoke out about the law governing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), stating that it does not permit the OSP to refer cases to be investigated by relevant authorities. In an interview on JoyNews‘ Newsfile, he emphasized that the OSP is authorized to request cases from other relevant bodies, such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO).
The controversy surrounding the OSP’s jurisdiction arose in the context of the Airbus scandal, which implicated former President John Dramani Mahama in allegations of corruption related to the procurement of aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces. The case was referred to the OSP in September 2020 to investigate possible conflicts of interest, bribery, and corruption. After a thorough four-year investigation, the OSP cleared John Mahama, his brother Adams Foster Mahama, and others of any wrongdoing.
However, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has continued to push for further investigation into the matter. Gary Nimako, the NPP’s Director of Legal Affairs, suggested that the case should be looked into by other bodies, citing concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Nimako pointed to Vice President Mahama’s decision to close a government procurement deal with a company that employs his brother as an agent as a red flag that warrants further scrutiny.
In response to Nimako’s comments, Inusah Fuseini disagreed, stating that the law establishing the OSP does not provide for the office to refer cases to other institutions if its jurisdiction is not properly invoked. He expressed confidence in the OSP’s findings clearing John Mahama and his associates of any wrongdoing, indicating that he would have been surprised if the conclusion had been different.
On the other hand, Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Haruna Mohammed, expressed satisfaction with the OSP’s investigation, particularly the identification of John Mahama as „Government Official 1“ in the Airbus bribery scandal. Mohammed stated that this confirmation strengthens the NPP’s case and emphasized that „crime has no expiring date,“ suggesting that the case against Mahama can be pursued at any time. He also mentioned that the NPP’s legal team will review the OSP’s report and reiterated the party’s contentment with the identification of Mahama as a key figure in the scandal.
In conclusion, the debate over the OSP’s jurisdiction and the handling of the Airbus scandal involving John Mahama continues to be a contentious issue in Ghanaian politics. While the OSP has cleared Mahama of any wrongdoing, the NPP remains adamant about further investigation. The differing opinions and interpretations of the law highlight the complexities and challenges of addressing corruption allegations at the highest levels of government. As the political landscape evolves, it is essential for transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law to prevail in order to uphold the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.