<<Print>>

The Mabey & Johnson bribery scandal, involving six top Ghanaian politicians, gets a new lease with the arrival into the country of the United Kingdom prosecutor of the case, John Hardy. Mr. Hardy, U.K based top barrister and judge, specializing in extradition and human rights matters, arrived in the country on Friday at the instance of the Danquah Institute, a local think-tank. His arrival has no direct bearing on the March 15 start of CHRAJ public hearing into the bribery scandal involving top members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). However his meeting with Justice Emile Short, CHRAJ Commissioner and the Attorney-General, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, would offer another opportunity for the two persons to discuss outstanding matters pertaining to the subject. For the rest of Ghanaians, especially the media, the prosecutor�s visit is a rare chance for them to listen to the man whose meticulousness in the infamy opened a new chapter in the history of international corruption, leading to resignations of top government officials including two serving ministers in Ghana. Dr. George Sipa-Yankey, one-time Health Minister, Alhaji Amadu Seidu; Alhaji Baba Kamara, Ghana�s high Commissioner to Nigeria, Lord Attivor, formerly with STC; Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface; Kwame Pepreh, former Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Quarshie, former Minister of Roads and Highways and others were cited in the bribery scandal when the case was heard in the UK in September last year. They were said to have been recipients of whooping amounts of money paid them by M & J, allegedly for contracts received. The British bridge construction company was alleged to have bribed a number of public officials in a number of countries such as Ghana and Jamaica to facilitate their securing of juicy contracts. When the lid was blown over the story, Dr. George Sipa-Yankey, Minister of Health, and Alhaji Amadu Seidu, Minister of State at the Presidency, exited their positions. The visiting British lawyer is scheduled to undertake a number of activities, among them the delivery of lectures on international corruption and money-laundering, engagements which would see members of the media and the general public making interesting enquiries. Whether he would delve deep into the case, which the UK chapter has already dealt with, can only be seen as the days elapse. No matter how he handles the subject, his management of international corruption is set to open a can of worms, especially with regard to the M&J bribery scandal where the hands of Ghanaian officials were greased. The arrival of the prosecutor, Daily Guide has learnt was not without an incident as the relevant authorities wondered why the visit should be allowed at all. Eventually though, the necessary visa was issued because it was too indicting to close the door on the British visitor. For government, a public lecture on such a vexed subject is the last thing to be entertained. While some questions would be limited to the M&J scandal, others would certainly look at contracts signed by the previous government, such as Vodafone and Kosmos/EO Group deals. The guest list is a long one including MPs, the media, the Local Serious Fraud Office, CHRAJ and many others.