Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has refused to unveil his face to Kwesi Nyantakyi and his legal team in chambers ahead of court proceedings in a case where Anas is expected to testify against Nyantakyi, the former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Consequently, Anas has declined an invitation from the prosecution to testify in the case.
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, the High Court in Accra directed Anas Aremeyaw Anas to testify openly in court during the trial of Kwesi Nyantakyi.
However, Justice Marie Louise Simmons, presiding over the court, ruled that Anas could disguise himself while giving his testimony.
According to the court's decision, Mr. Nyantakyi would have the opportunity to see Anas' face in chambers before the journalist testifies in open court.
The prosecution had requested for Anas to testify in camera, but lawyers representing Mr. Nyantakyi opposed the application, advocating for Anas to testify with his face revealed in open court.
Justice Simmons partially granted the application, stating that Anas had been seen in public wearing his beads as a mask, and therefore it was acceptable for him to testify in public wearing the mask.
In response to the court's ruling, Tiger Eye P.I., the private investigative firm led by Anas, issued a statement explaining the risks associated with revealing his identity to Kwesi Nyantakyi.
"While Anas is willing and prepared to testify for the prosecution, doing so under the specified conditions poses a clear and immediate danger to his security and safety, particularly considering the issues outlined above," the statement read.
"Given these circumstances, it is prudent for him to decline the invitation, as it would endanger his life, and accordingly, he declines to reveal his identity to the defendant in the judge's chambers or any other location."
"Tiger Eye fully supports Anas' stance and affirms that it is proper and wise to err on the side of caution in order to prevent any potential harm to another one of its investigators."
Below is a copy of the full statement by Tigereye P.I.
NYANTAKYI AND LAWYERS TO SEE ANAS’S FACE BEFORE COURT PROCEEDINGS
RE: REPUBLIC V. KWESI NYANTAKYI AND ANOTHER
1.Tiger Eye P.I has taken notice of the ruling by the High Court sitting in Accra to allow undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas to testify wearing mask in open court on condition that he shows his face to the accused person in the judges’ chambers first.
2.Anas had earlier agreed to testify as a witness for the prosecution in the above styled case after Ahmed Hussein Suale was gruesomely murdered, on condition that his identity is protected.
3.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.
4.It should be recalled that the late Ahmed Hussein Suale, a star witness in this case, was assassinated in broad daylight in 2019. His assassination occurred on the same day that he had had engagements with the Attorney General’s office on his testimony against the accused person in above styled case.
5.Prior to his gruesome murder, the late Ahmed Suale had been threatened with death by Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi and had been the subject of callous media attacks for his role as a star witness in the case, culminating in the revealing of his identity on national television and social media by Mr Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin-Central constituency.
6.As much as Anas is willing and ready to testify for the prosecution, doing so under the condition specified by the court, presents a clear and present danger to his security and safety, especially because of the issues chronicled above.
7.Under these circumstances, prudence requires that he declines the invitation to endanger his life and accordingly declines the invitation to reveal his identity to the accused person in the judges’ chamber or any other place.
8.Tiger Eye endorses the position of Anas and states that it is proper and wise to err on the side of caution to avoid any potential attack on another of its investigators.
10. Nevertheless, Tiger Eye shall remain unwavering and relentless in its fight against corruption and societal ills. Anas remains in high spirit and is grateful to the good people of Ghana for their support and protection.
#IAmAnas #JeSuisAnas #AnasIsWatching #DoTheRightThing #SayNoToCorruption
Source: Graphiconline
