Rawlings in trouble?

The National Tribute Political Desk Report

Former President Jerry John Rawlings seems to be in great trouble following a strong worded petition by the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to launch an investigation into the alleged $5million he received from Sani Abacha as a gift in 1998.

The late Nigerian leader, Sani Abacha was rumoured to have given Mr. Rawlings $5million as a gift. Mr. Rawlings' acceptance of the money, according to the presidential candidate of the GCPP, Dr Henry Lartey, is unethical and that CHRAJ must institute a swift investigation into the matter.

Accusing the former president of lying, Dr. Lartey said "We will not allow anyone who is corrupt to get away with it, even if you are the president of Ghana."

As a result, he said at a press conference Tuesday that "We are going to CHRAJ with our lawyers and he [Rawlings] will have to answer all these questions. No vendetta or whatsoever, I actually respected him to a point – he disappointed me and he has disappointed all West Africans."

He continued "It is a sad thing that a man of probity and accountability must come to tell us that he took $2million cash [from Abacha]. Did he take it on behalf of Ghanaians? Who signed for the money? What was the money used for...? Did he really receive $2million? Are we being lied to?"

The political muscle of former President John Jerry Rawlings of our great republican State, Ghana, once upon a time, the most respected and honoured family in the political history of the nation , appears to have come to an abrupt end following his admission of accepting the two million dollars from ex - Nigerian leader, Sani Abacha.

The once shining and unchallenged legacy of Mr. Rawlings, who was seen as being one of few African leaders committed to fighting corruption within the African continent and across the world, has now been called to question when he decided to open the aged-long controversial bribing can of worms between himself and the ex - Nigerian dictator.

The former Ghanaian military leader laid the sharp knife on the most cherished neck of his legacy of always being in the forefront on corruption fight, many regarded him as one of the few leaders left on the African continent that could resist and fight the old-aged corruption canker.

Mr. Rawlings, who was tagged 'Junior Jesus' during his military era, when several top leaders in the country were murdered because of corruption allegations, in an interview with The Guardian, a Nigerian based newspaper, admitted accepting the huge sum of money from Abacha, perceived as one of Africa's most corrupt leaders. This had gotten many political pundits, social commentators and Ghanaians tongues wagging in absolute confusion.

For decades now, Mr. Rawlings has been rated as the most prominent politician, leader and role model to many people in Ghana but unfolding events are indicative that the charismatic and astute politician has now given away his respect, honour and love from the people who made him who he is today.

According to Mr. Rawlings, "It is unfortunate that Abacha should also be caught up in such practices like a few of his predecessors. But he was one hell of a nationalist and very patriotic. Abacha saved the country. Some of you may not know this. But I also had my fingers on things. Some may not want to hear it. But the departure of that gentleman called Abiola, the one who passed away, saved Nigeria from a probable explosion." He said Shonekan couldn't handle the situation and Abacha stepped in.

"There is also something else we shouldn't lose sight of. When I am talking about the possibility of an explosion, it's about the circumstances and the personalities involved. Abiola plus Shonekan (who was a man of integrity) could not even be seen to hold it.

"Does it surprise you that some Nigerians, I think either through some national instinct or wherever the perception came from, think that they needed retired generals who cannot be intimidated by the military? That was how come characters like Obasanjo could come back or for that matter, this gentleman, President Buhari, who cannot be intimidated by the military. It has its value, but I think it is a transition that we are all going through or you are going through," he told the newspaper.

On his anti-corruption and alleged $5million 'gift' from Abacha, Mr. Rawlings said he never went to, or asked Abacha for any contribution adding "and this is something that impressed me about the man. I didn't ask him for a penny. But he obviously understood certain situations, our situation, and graciously sent me a small suitcase of money. I think there were two cars or three that came to the Air Force station to look for me. I was going for a flight that afternoon".

"So, I was at the Air Force Station when a gentleman came over there and when he said he had a message from Abacha, I cancelled my flight and they set out to wait for me. I drove after them to the Castle. As we got out of the car and we were about to move up, this elderly gentleman, Gwarzo, he is called, had one of his assistants try to bring out a suitcase from the boot of a car. I had an idea of what it could be. So I said: 'Leave it, shut your boot and let's go upstairs first and talk'.

According to Mr. Rawlings, Gwarzo said he had brought something from Abacha stating "I said two things: 'I hear you people don't provide assistance without the world hearing it with a twist', he continued.
Mr. Rawlings said the parcel in the car boot they brought contained two million dollars: new notes packed in plastic bags and fairly heavy.

"We finished with some niceties and he left. I informed some of my close comrades of the parcel from Abacha. I gave away about 350,000 dollars to two people for urgent disbursements. One of our senior colleagues who were in charge of an exercise drew down certain amounts. We went on like this until the suitcase was exhausted.

Later when Abacha died and your country instituted an investigation into his assets, I read in one of your newspapers that Mr. Gwarzo, this fine gentleman, allegedly said that he brought me five million dollars. I am glad I still have that suitcase. It shocked me a bit that such a fine respectable man could make such a claim. The amount he mentioned shocked me. That he could tell such a lie," he said.

But as to how the money was used by the former President is not clear except to say that his colleagues knew about it and that they needed to use them for some national needs.