The investigative journalist Anas Aremyaw Anas has announced that he will no longer give a testimony in the criminal case against Kwasi Nyantakyi, the former president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
He argues that risking his safety by allowing his face to be examined prior to judicial hearings.
This Thursday, an Accra High Court ordered the journalist to testify in open court while wearing his signature mask, but Mr. Nyantakyi must first see the journalist’s face.
Anas notes that his desire for identity protection derives from his work as an undercover journalist, which increases the risk when his face is revealed.
Tiger Eye P.I. stated in a press release dated May 18 that “Anas’s request for the protection of his identity stems from his role as an undercover agent and the real and elevated risk that revealing his identity to the accused person will severely compromise his physical security and personal safety.”
He claims that he only agreed to testify in place of his murdered coworker Ahmed Suale on the condition that his name would be kept private.
Consequently, he is unable to accept the request to testify. In light of this, the statement reads, “prudence requires that he decline the invitation to reveal his identity.”
It is a significant problem because the success of Anas and his team at Tiger Eye PI is dependent upon their work.
Ahmed Suale, the main witness, was killed, which caused the trial to be delayed. Thus, the Attorney General has the choice of ordering Anas to testify, in which case they run the danger of his refusing to cooperate when he mounts the box, giving up on the case altogether, or calling a different witness.
However, the last choice has the danger that the person might not be personally familiar with the evidence.
This is related to the former football official’s criminal trial, which resulted from the Number 12 documentary, which intended to reveal corruption in Ghanaian football.
On May 17, the court decided that it is in the interests of justice to provide the necessary resources for a citizen to defend oneself when that citizen’s liberty is at jeopardy.
Anas is a key witness in the case’s resolution, it was stated. It was noted that his identity becomes essential for the accused to recognise him and be able to defend himself.
The court argued that Anas was observed speaking to the media in public while donning his bead masks, demonstrating his ease with being in public while disguised.
The court, therefore, issued the following orders on how the case should proceed;
“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.”
