By: Kwame Bediako
The Court of Appeal has mandated that renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas must testify in open court without his iconic mask in the high-profile case of Republic vs Kwesi Nyantakyi.
The unanimous decision, delivered by Justices Anthony Oppong, Ackaah Boafo and Aboagye Tandoh, emphasized the importance of upholding an accused person’s constitutional right to a fair trial over witness protection concerns.
The ruling came as a response to a request from the state that Anas should be allowed to testify while concealed. Justice Ackaah Boafo articulated that the rights of the accused must take precedence, reinforcing the principle that the judicial process should ensure fairness.
The court criticized the High Court’s previous decision to revisit the request, asserting that a prior Supreme Court ruling on this matter must be adhered to.
Anas, celebrated for his groundbreaking investigative work, is now compelled to appear in court without his trademark hood as he delivers testimony against Kwesi Nyantakyi, the former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Nyantakyi stands accused following Anas’ explosive 2018 documentary, Number 12, which unveiled widespread corruption within Ghanaian football.
The fallout from Anas’ documentary was severe for Nyantakyi, who lost all his official football roles, including his positions on the FIFA Executive Council and as Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Initially handed a lifetime ban by FIFA for his involvement in the corruption scandal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced his punishment to a 15-year ban, a decision that has continued to reverberate through the football community.
