Scandal Erupts Over Abacha's Aircraft Gift to JJ

Culled from Post Express(Nigeria)

BARELY a year after President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana narrowly missedimpeachment over an alleged 5 million dollar largesse by the late General SaniAbacha, another scandal has erupted in Ghana over aircraft gift from the former Nigerian leader to the Ghanaian president. According to information made available to The Post Express, the late Nigerian head of state hadbefore his death in June last year, given out one of the aircraft on the Presidential fleet to the Ghanaian leader to influence his decision inan unnamed issue within the West African sub-region.

The aircraft was alleged to have been delivered before Abacha's demise. Already the Ghanaian Parliament has commenced probe into the allegation to unravel the truthand the Voice of America reported Wednesday that pressures are mounting on Ghanaian government to comment on the issue. Fielding questions from theVOA monitored in Lagos, a member of the parliament in Ghana, Dr. KwesiApaku, said 'last year there was a story over Rawlings and President Abacha andit was refuted, parliament was not given adequate time to investigate itand now there is a second issue relating to Abacha and influence peddlingwith our president and we will take it very seriously.' The parliamentarian disclosed to the VOA that presently the matter has appeared in major Ghanaian newspapers but the government has refused to comment on the allegation. He said 'We are hoping that indeed eventually, we will beable to pursue the matter and find out whether indeed Abacha gave apresidential jet to President Rawlings.'

Apaku hinted that the Ghanaian Parliamenthad unanimously agreed that there would be no cover up this time forPresident Rawlings, adding that 'if indeed it turns out that our government hasused its position to get any ill-gotten money from Nigeria or any otherplace, we take a very serious view on the matter. We believe that we ought tomaintain a very good relationship with our neighbours, particularly Nigeria.' The Post Express had last year reported exclusively Gen. Abacha's 5 million dollar gift to Rawlings to influence his decision on Nigeria's bid forthe United Nations Security Council seat. But while the Ghanaian Parliament commenced probe into the deal, the government of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, sensing it might consume the Ghanaian president, denied anysuch moves by the late head of state.