Number 12 exposé: Court orders Anas to testify without face mask in chambers
A High Court has ruled that investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas will testify against former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwasi Nyantakyi in open court.
However, the ace media practitioner will disguise himself during his testimony.
Per the ruling of the court, Mr Nyantakyi will have the opportunity to see Anas’ face in chambers before he testifies in open court.
The presiding judge, Justice Marie Louise Simmons gave the ruling following an application by the prosecution for Anas to testify in camera.
But, lawyers for Mr Nyantakyi opposed the application and urged the court to rather allow Anas to testify in open court with his face showing.
In her ruling today, Justice Simmons said “Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas will testify against Former GFA President Kwasi Nyantakyi in open court but disguised in a mask
“Mr. Nyantakyi will however have the opportunity to see his face in chambers before such testimony,” She added.
The Supreme Court quashed an earlier ruling by a lower court giving permission for Anas to testify in camera. That meant that Anas is compelled by the Supreme Court’s verdict to appear in open court though it was silent on whether Anas must remove his veil.
The journalist, whose investigation led to Nyantakyi resigning from several football posts, claimed his life would be in danger if he testifies in court.
Background
Anas in June 2018, premiered a video that exposed corruption at various levels of Ghana football.
The video among other things exposed over 80 referees and match officials receiving monies to fix matches.
With regards to Nyantakyi, he was found in the video supposedly trying to use the name of President, Akufo-Addo, his Vice, and some other government officials to seal a suspicious business deal.
Anas in the video claimed he gave Mr. Nyantakyi about $65,000 for “shopping” which violated the FIFA code of ethics.
Kwesi Nyantakyi, who also served on FIFA and CAF, lost all positions in local and international football after the exposé.