Investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has revealed that he will no longer testify in the criminal trial of former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwasi Nyantakyi.
According to him, revealing his face to be inspected before court proceedings endangers him. He indicated that his request for the protection of his identity stems from his role as an undercover journalist, and exposing his face, further elevates the risk.
Additionally, Anas stated that revealing his identity to the accused person will also severely compromise his physical security and personal safety.
Contained in a statement issued by Tiger Eye PI, it stated that Anas had earlier agreed to testify as a witness for the prosecution in the case after one of his team members, Ahmed Hussein Suale, was gruesomely murdered, on condition that his identity is protected.
It recounted that the late Ahmed Hussein Suale, who was a star witness in the case, was assassinated in broad daylight in 2019 after he had engagements with the Attorney General’s office on his testimony against the accused person, Kwasi Nyantakyi, in the case.
Under these circumstances, Tiger Eye revealed that prudence requires that Anas 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”.
“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.”
Tiger Eye PI
Furthermore, Tiger Eye iterated that the investigative journalist is willing and ready to testify for the prosecution, but “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”.
In light of this, Tiger Eye noted that it 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.
“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.”
Tiger Eye PI
Anas committed to fighting corruption
Despite Anas’ decision not to testify in the trial, Tiger Eye revealed that it shall remain unwavering and relentless in its fight against corruption and societal ills. Also, it stated that Anas remains in high spirit and is grateful to the good people of Ghana for their support and protection.
It will be recalled that a High Court on May 17, 2023, ruled that investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, will testify against former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwasi Nyantakyi in open court. But its revealed that although Anas will be disguised in his trademark mask, Mr Nyantakyi will however, have the opportunity to see his face in chambers before the testimony.
This ruling was delivered by the court following an application by lawyers for Mr. Nyantakyi who had requested the court to grant them an opportunity to see the real face of Anas Aremeyaw Anas in camera.
The court in its ruling noted 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.
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