Investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has declined an invitation to testify in the criminal trial of the embattled former Ghana Football Association (GFA) boss, Kwesi Nyantakyi, for fear of losing his life.
The journalist was, this week, directed by an Accra High Court to testify in open court in his trademark mask but his face would have to be seen by Mr. Nyantakyi in the judge’s chamber before the hearing begins.
But the undercover journalist said the high court order “presents a clear and present danger to his security and safety”.
The ace journalist appears to be guided by how a colleague who agreed to testify in the case died hours after engagement with the Attorney General’s Department.
“It should be recalled that the late Ahmed Hussein Suale, a star witness in this case, was assassinated in broad daylight in 2019.
“His assassination occurred on the same day that he had had engagements with the Attorney General’s office on his testimony against the accused person in above styled case,” a statement issued by Anas’ investigative firm, Tiger Eye PI asserted.
“Under these circumstances, prudence requires that he declines the invitation to endanger his life and accordingly declines the invitation to reveal his identity to the accused person in the judges’ chamber or any other place.
“Tiger Eye endorses the position of Anas and states that it is proper and wise to err on the side of caution to avoid any potential attack on another of its investigators.”
The entire case hinges on the work done by Anas and his colleagues at Tiger Eye PI.
The trial itself was delayed because the key witness, Ahmed Suale was killed. The Attorney General thus has the option of compelling Anas to testify in which case they risk having him not cooperating when he mounts the box, dropping the case entirely or having another person testify.
But the last option comes with the risk of that person not having personal knowledge of the evidence.
This is in the criminal trial of the former football administrator arising from the Number 12 documentary which sought to expose corruption in Ghana football.
On May 17, the court ruled that it is in the interest of justice that where the liberty of a citizen is at stake, that such a person is given the needed facilities to defend themselves.
It noted that Anas is a principal witness in the determination of the case. His identity, it pointed out, becomes crucial to allow the accused to identify him and to be able to defend himself.
Read Tiger Eye PI’s full statement below
NYANTAKYI AND LAWYERS TO SEE ANAS’S FACE BEFORE COURT PROCEEDINGS
RE: REPUBLIC V. KWESI NYANTAKYI AND ANOTHER
1.Tiger Eye P.I has taken notice of the ruling by the High Court sitting in Accra to allow undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas to testify wearing mask in open court on condition that he shows his face to the accused person in the judges’ chambers first.
2.Anas had earlier agreed to testify as a witness for the prosecution in the above styled case after Ahmed Hussein Suale was gruesomely murdered, on condition that his identity is protected.
3.Anas’s request for the protection of his identity stems from his role as an undercover agent and the real and elevated risk that revealing his identity to the accused person will severely compromise his physical security and personal safety.
4.It should be recalled that the late Ahmed Hussein Suale, a star witness in this case, was assassinated in broad daylight in 2019. His assassination occurred on the same day that he had had engagements with the Attorney General’s office on his testimony against the accused person in above styled case.
5.Prior to his gruesome murder, the late Ahmed Suale had been threatened with death by Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi and had been the subject of callous media attacks for his role as a star witness in the case, culminating in the revealing of his identity on national television and social media by Mr Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin-Central constituency.
6.As much as Anas is willing and ready to testify for the prosecution, doing so under the condition specified by the court, presents a clear and present danger to his security and safety, especially because of the issues chronicled above.
7.Under these circumstances, prudence requires that he declines the invitation to endanger his life and accordingly declines the invitation to reveal his identity to the accused person in the judges’ chamber or any other place.
8.Tiger Eye endorses the position of Anas and states that it is proper and wise to err on the side of caution to avoid any potential attack on another of its investigators.
9.Tiger Eye’s position is further buttressed by the unrelenting, coordinated, and well-financed media and other campaigns by private and State actors to undermine its operations and the Anas principle, which stand in their way of amassing corruption and social injustice.
10. Nevertheless, Tiger Eye shall remain unwavering and relentless in its fight against corruption and societal ills. Anas remains in high spirit and is grateful to the good people of Ghana for their support and protection.
Ends