Popular Ghanaian lawyer, Lawyer Maurice Ampaw has stated that he personally does not see why Investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, should be allowed to wear a mask to court.
According to him, Anas is a witness just like any other witness who appears in court and so therefore, should not be treated differently in his court case with Kwasi Nyantakyi.
“The reason is simple, what the constitution hates is discrimination and there is something we call equality before the law. Every witness is a witness and Anas is appearing in court as an ordinary witness, So why should he be allowed to cover is face.”
lawyer Ampaw
Speaking in an interview Today, November 9, the private legal practitioner disclosed that, one of the principle of law is for a witness to be identified by his or her name and face when he or she appears in court. He therefore does not agree to the fact that the lawyers of Anas are advocating for their client to appear in court with a mask.
“In law, if you will be identified, it is by your name and face. Imagine if I appear in court prentending to be anas with the mask on my face, how would the court determine or confirm if I am really Anas.
“There is a principle in law which says that, justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done and also, seeing is believing. So what are they trying to say.”
Lawyer Ampaw
To him, the move will go in contradiction to the law after insisting that the law only identifies persons by “name and face”.
Lawyer Ampaw further suggested that Anas should see and convince the judge as to why he needs to testify in chambers or appear in court with his mask. He noted that everyone faces risk with regards to the job they do and so therefore doesnt see the need for Anas to be undentified.
This comes after the Supreme Court quashed an earlier ruling by a lower court giving permission to Anas to testify in camera.
The journalist, whose investigation led to Nyantakyi resigning several football posts, claimed his life would be in danger if he testifies in court without his mask.
The investigative Journalist, in his documentary titled #Number 12, which exposed some rots in Ghana Football , also led to the then Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi losing his position and subsequently banned by FIFA.
The order of the High Court 2, Criminal Division granted permission to Anas Aremeyaw Anas to testify in camera in the case against Kwesi Nyantakyi.
But on appeal by lawyers of Nyantakyi, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the former football chief asking Anas to appear in flesh to be cross-examined in open court by Nyantakyi. By this decision of the Supreme Court, Anas Aremeyaw Anas must give evidence in open court.
Nyantakyi is fighting his case against the controversial journalist in a bid to clear his name. The former Ghana FA President is now serving a global ban following the documentary.
Anas Has Not Been Ordered By SC To Appear In Court Without Trademark Face Beads
Meanwhile, lawyers for Anas Aremeyaw Anas, have shut down reports that their client has been ordered by the Supreme Court to appear in court against the former GFA Presiden without his trade mark which is the face beads.
On Tuesday November 8, 2022, reports were rife that the country’s Supreme Court has ordered the ace investigative journalist to appear in court as a prosecution witness for the case.
Amid the circulation of the news, Cromwell Gray LLP, the law firm representing Anas issued a statement to provide clarity.
“The public should disregard false reportage that Anas has been ordered by the SC or is being compelled to appear in court without his trademark face bead.”
Cromwell Gray
It further indicated that Anas may choose to testify as a prosecution witness or not. The firm also added in the statement that, Anas and his entire Tiger Eye team will continue to wear the iconic face beads as a symbol of impartial anonymity in investigative journalism to highlight the extreme risk in that line of duty
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