Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has described claims of a hundred thousand dollar bribe paid to his agency by former GFA Boss Kwesi Nyantakyi to prevent the publication of the Number 12 exposé as palpable falsehood.
Tiger eye PI released a shocking video in June 2018 in which the former Ghana Foot Ball Association President was cited allegedly engaged in some shady deals over football administration for personal gain.
Mr Nyantakyi who has expressed interest in the Ejisu Parliamentary Seat told Accra based Onua TV, Anass coerced him through a lawyer and lecturer with the University of Ghana, Lawyer Kwame Gyan to pay a bribe of 150 thousand dollars to shelve the expose.
He purports to have afforded to pay a hundred thousand dollars which was later refunded in tranches by Anas after the video was shown by the BBC and other media allies of Tiger Eye PI.
However in a statement released by Tiger Eye PI, the investigative institution described the claims as preposterous questioning how an investigation painstakingly done over an extensive period will be swallowed by a meagre 150 thousand Dollar bribe.
“Tiger Eye P.I. and Anas Aremeyaw Anas categorically deny any involvement in soliciting or accepting bribes from Kwesi Nyantakyi prior to the publication of the documentary. The core mission of Tiger Eye and Anas is to expose and confront corruption, making the notion of shielding corrupt individuals utterly preposterous given the extensive resources and efforts invested in producing such exposés,” the statement pointed out.
“Mr. Nyantakyi’s assumption that such a priceless exposé, which had long been advertised by BBC, could be shelved by simply ‘paying’ a $100,000 bribe is not only shocking but also indicative of naivety,” it added.
Tiger Eye PI further denied having any dealings with the said lawyer Kwame Gyan neither before, during nor after the expose insisting the agency is legally represented by Cromwell Gray LLP, situated in Cantonments.
The statement clarified, “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 Cromwell Gray 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 publications involving Anas.”
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.”
Tiger Eye PI added that the self-confessed act of bribery on the part of Mr Nyantakyi lent credence to the decision of FIFA to have slapped a lifetime ban preventing Mr Nyantakyi from participating in domestic and international football, a ban which was later commuted to 15 years.
“Mr. Nyantakyi, by his admission, is a self-confessed bribe-giver, and a bribe-taker for attempting to bribe his way out of a painstaking investigation into his conduct. Per his self-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,” the statement argued.
Tiger Eye PI contended Anass Aremeyaw Anass had no interest in what it called an image redeeming expedition by the embattled Nyantakyi who seeking to become a Member of Parliament contending the determination of his eligibility lay solely in the structures of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ivan Heathcote – Fumador
