Can A Person Be Put On The Ballot Paper When He Is Under “Criminal” Investigation?
The Airbus Matter can be an Achilles Heel for the NDC in many ways. I am not a lawyer and I will not pretend to be one. But I think in Ghana a “Convicted Criminal” Cannot be an MP Or President, but I don’t know whether a “criminal” suspect can be, I stand to be Corrected.
The government has instructed the office of the Special prosecutor to investigate the “Airbus Scandal” as many media houses like to put it.
1…The government knows that this matter is directly or directly linked to John Mahama as vice President and President respectively.
2…Even if there was no crime committed, in an election year it doesn’t matter let the public believe John Mahama is being investigated for a crime, whether it exist or not.
3…Who is better to handle an issue like this than Martin Amidu, the self made public enemy number 1 of John Mahama and Since he has also criticized this very transaction in the past and indirectly proffered a “bad intention” to John Mahama.
I have seen a screenshot of a statement attributed to Koku Anyidoho in which he vowed to protect the image of Atta Mills in this matter, I wonder why he didn’t add John Mahama, Anyway I’m not sure it is surprising to many. But can you image a collaboration between Martin Amidu, Koku Anyidoho and the NPP in investigating a “crime” involving John Mahama?
4…As far as this investigation is concerned it is a huge propaganda tool for the NPP, and you can’t begrudge them they are a political party and will use any means to want to win an election as long as it is not “Visibly” illegal.
5…If the preliminary investigation shows that John Mahama is innocent Martin Amidu is not going to exonerate JDM of a crime in an election year, when he knows that his winning the presidency will make him weaker than he is now or in the worse case scenario removed from office.
6…He will prefer directly and indirectly with government to let the matter hangs on John Mahama’s head while they pretend they are still investigating.
7…Assuming John Mahama is arrested around September for his role in the Scandal, it doesn’t mean he is guilty that may not be the intention, it doesn’t matter if he wins in court, the political intention may be to curtail his movements and project him as a “criminal suspect”
Definitely the case will not end before December 7 election. And that is exactly what the move will want to achieve.
8…At that point I don’t know what the Law says, whether he can be put on the ballot paper as a Presidential candidate for the NDC?
9…Which ever way it will not be easy for the NDC to navigate their way through. Can you imagine Ghana and UK investigating JDM for a “crime’ during an election year?
10…But there is a little door opened for the NDC and that opening was caused by the NPP government itself and that is throwing UK out as a partner for the investigations.
11…In Ghana the government is everything so documents that exonerate JDM will never be made available until May be after the election.
12…But the legal situation in the UK is different and if the NDC really want to present JDM as clean they should work from UK. As for Ghana he is guilty until the elections are over.
13…This “Airbus Matter” may be a threat to the survival of our democracy as much as the New voters register seems to be. That is if government decides to overplay it in order to do maximum damage to the image of JDM depending on how the NDC responds.
I will say the tunnel to December 7 may not have light but a lot of darkness. Let’s Pray!!!
Bishop Prince Benny Wood
His Excellency
The Blessed One.