Investigative Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has categorically denied accepting a bribe from former Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi before the publication of the investigative video that ultimately led to his downfall.
In a media interview on April 2, Mr. Nyantakyi said he paid $100,000 to the investigative journalist in an attempt to prevent the release of the investigative video.
He said Anas demanded $150,000 through his lawyers to kill the story, but he could only come up with $100,000.
However, Tiger Eye P. I., the investigative company of Anas, in a statement issued on Tuesday, April 2, categorically dismissed the allegations.
According to the release, neither Tiger Eye P. I nor Anas Aremeyaw engaged the services of a lawyer from the University of Ghana named Kwame Gyan to broker the bribery deal.
“At all material times, including before, during and after the production of the number 12 documentary, Tiger Eye and Anas have exclusively retained the legal representation of CromwellGray LLP situated in Cantonments, Accra. CromwellGray LLP has consistently acted as legal counsel for Anas in matters relating to litigation initiated by or against journalistic publication involving Anas.”
Tiger Eye P.I. emphatically stated that any alleged criminal arrangement between Mr Nyantakyi and any supposed lawyer remained strictly between Mr Nyantakyi and the alleged recipient.
“Tiger Eye P.I. firmly denies any involvement or knowledge of such activities. Should Mr. Nyantakyi’s claims hold substance, we challenge him to pursue legal action against Lawyer Kwame Gyan, including lodging a petition with the General Legal Council, to substantiate his allegations.”
It said that Mr Nyantakyi’s belief that such a valuable exposé, which had been widely advertised by BBC, could be shelved by merely ‘paying’ a $100,000 bribe was not only surprising but also indicative of naivety.
“Tiger Eye underscores its robust internal mechanisms in place, making it difficult for any individual to alter or suppress an investigation.”
It pointed out that Mr Nyantakyi, by his admission, was a confessed bribe-giver and a bribe-taker for attempting to bribe his way out of a thorough investigation into his conduct.
“Per his confessed bribery attempt, Mr Nyantakyi has proven that the life-ban from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for conflict of interest and bribery offences provided for by FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE) was justified,” it added.
In June 2018, Anas released a video investigation that captured Mr. Nyantakyi, along with several other football administrators and officials, compromising the integrity of the game on a monumental scale.
Nyantakyi resigned from all his roles at the GFA, CAF and FIFA and was eventually handed a lifetime ban from football, which was later reduced to 15 years.