Former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Lawyer Kwasi Nyantakyi would be made to see the face of investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, before he testifys against him in Court.
Anas’ investigative piece titled, #Number 12 Exposé, which exposed some corruption in Ghana’s football led to the former FA president being charged for fraud and corruption.
With the trial set to commence, the Prosecution requested for the ace media practitioner who would be their star witness to testify in-camera.
But, lawyers of opposed to that request.
Ruling on the application on Wednesday, May 17, the Criminal Court 2, presided over by Justice Marie Louise Simmons said Anas will testify in-camera.
However, he would unmask to Nyantakyi to identify him in chambers prior to testifying in open court.
The court said it is in the interest of justice that where the liberty of a citizen is at stake, such a person is given the needed facilities to defend themselves.
According to Justice Louise Simmons, the witness is a principal character in the determination of the case and the identity of the said witness becomes crucial to allow the accused to identify the said witness and be able to defend himself.
At the same time, the court said Anas (witness) has been seen in public addressing the media while wearing his bead masks and “this shows that the said witness is comfortable appearing in public while disguising himself.”
While granting the application in part, the court said, Anas will testify in open court disguised in his mask.
But, the Accused (Nyantakyi) would be allowed to identify the witness in chambers by him take off the mask.
The court said, that would happen at the time he comes to testify in the case until the final determination of the case.
The court also said, phones and relevant gadgets for recording would not be allowed into the chambers while Anas was unmasking.
Charges
The former GFA President was charged with fraud and corruption over his involvement in the Anas Aremeyaw Anas Number 12 Exposé.
Nyantakyi who is also facing the charge of Conspiracy to commit fraud with the former Northern Regional Representative of the GFA, Abdulai Alhassan, pleaded not guilty.
The two football administrators have been admitted to their previous bail sum of GHc 1 million each with three sureties, to be justified.
They are also to report to the case investigator until the final determination of the case.
Background
The embattled former GFA president, Nyantakyi, came under heavy criticism after the content of Anas Aremeyaw Anas investigative piece entitled ‘Number12’ was aired in Ghana on June 6, 2018.
The video captured Nyantakyi supposedly taking $65,000 (£48,000) from an undercover reporter pretending to be a businessman.
The video among other things also captured top officials of the football association including its President, Nyantakyi allegedly taking bribes to influence the invitation of players to the national team, to influence the duration of playing time offered to some players and to influence the selection of unfit players and referees to participate in games.
The Number 12 documentary also captured more than 100 referees allegedly taking bribes to manipulate the outcome of games in a team’s favour.
Following the first screening of the video which attracted more than 3,000 persons, many called for a complete dissolution of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and immediate resignation of its embattled president, Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Nyantakyi, who was also the first Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) eventually resigned from all football-related positions few days after the video was aired.
Fifa subsequently suspended Kwesi Nyantakyi and later banned him for life.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
