The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has raised serious concern about the country’s commitment to fight corruption following the recent ruling at an Accra High Court in which investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas tagged was as a terrorist.
The trial judge, Justice Eric Baah, controversially turned his blazing gun on Anas in a purely defamatory suit, describing the globally celebrated journalist as corrupt, extortionist, cheat, blackmailer and self-confessed criminal practicing investigative terrorism instead of journalism.
Speaking at the NDC’s ‘True State of the Nation Address’ on Monday, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah joined some who have criticised the judgement in the face of how Anas’ works have tremendously helped Ghana’s war against corruption.
The NDC’s address is to counter the constitutionally mandated one delivered by President Akufo-Addo in Parliament on Wednesday, March 8 as required under Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution
“A nation where those who fight corruption are fight back and are even described as terrorists by the court: the Anas Aremyaw Anas’ of this world,” the NDC National Chairman posited.
The court presided over by Justice Eric Baah on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 dismissed aGH¢25 million defamation suit against Kennedy Agyapong brought by Anas who is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist.
This was after Anas, in 2018, sued the New Patriotic Party lawmaker for allegedly defaming him.
According to Mr. Asiedu Nketiah President Akufo-Addo’s silence on the corruption menace in the country is loud and one that means defeat to the battle.
“President Akufo-Addo’s silence on corruption in his infamous address was loud. It was as loud as his guilt. Evidently, corruption has defeated his family and friends’ government.
“Instead of confronting this canker head-on, President Akufo-Addo has constituted himself into a “Corruption Clearing Agent”, ever-willing to whitewash himself and any of his appointees who dabble in corruption, even before investigative processes commence.
“The President’s actions and complicity have emboldened many of his officials, not least the Vice President, Alhaji Bawumia whose name has come up in multiple corruption scandals such as the PDS scandal, the shady Gold-for-Oil deal, the Stolen Rice scandal and the appearance fee scandal”.
Meanwhile, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has served notice that he will appeal against the ruling.
“My team of lawyers and I, have carefully studied the judgment delivered by the court and we’re unanimous that the judge made an overreach and descended into the arena and made criminal pronouncements about me as if I was standing a criminal trial. He also justified the MP accusing me of the murder of the late JB Danquah, murder of twenty Chinese nationals and a host of other crimes.
“We are filing an appeal because there was no evidence provided.”