Airbus scandal: There is a strong basis for conflict of interest, it should be re-examined – Gary Nimako

The Director of Legal Affairs for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako, says former President John Dramani Mahama and his brother’s involvement in the Airbus deal constitutes a conflict of interest.

According to him, then-Vice President Mahama’s decision to close a government procurement deal with a company that engages his brother as an agent is enough to suggest a conflict of interest and should be investigated by relevant authorities.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on August 10, he said, “There is a strong basis in my view to suggest conflict of interest situations which should have been referred to relevant authorities for them to look at it again.”

His comment follows the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) naming former President John Dramani Mahama as the individual referenced as ‘Government official 1’ in the Airbus bribery scandal.

According to the OSP, the former President was however not bribed.

This conclusion, according to Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, follows extensive investigation spanning four years by his office.

Addressing the media in Accra, Mr Agyebeng explained that the investigation into the scandal and the revelation of the identities of the persons involved were necessary due to the public interest in the issue.

But the NPP Director of Legal Affairs admitted that it would be difficult to take the matter to court because there is no direct evidence; although there are traces of conflict of interest.

“What was the former President’s interest in closing this deal when he knew or ought to have known that the person behind these deal or leading the transaction was his blood brother?” I have added.

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