Counsels for investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas have refuted as false, a reportage which suggests their client has been asked by the apex court of the land to testify without privileges.
In a release issued by the lawyers Tuesday, November 8, 2022, they said Anas took the charge to testify after key witness for the trial in question, Ahmed Suale, was murdered at Madina, a suburb of Accra, before his testimony could be taken on condition of in-camera.
“The public should disregard false reportage that Anas has been ordered by the Supreme Court or is being compelled by the Supreme Court to appear in court without his trademark face beads,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Mr. Aremeyaw’s lawyers say he can choose to testify or not.
Read below the full statement from his lawyers
RE: REPUBLIC v. KWESI NYANTAKYI & ANOTHER
We are lawyers for the celebrated undercover investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Our attention has been drawn to developments in the ongoing criminal trial of the former head of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi who is standing trial for corruption and fraud over the Number12 investigative report aired in 2018. The documentary uncovered football related corruption in Ghana and other African countries.
The criminal proceedings were instituted following Anas’ petition filed with the Attomey-General.
The Star witness for the Republic, Ahmed Suale, who was one of the investigative journalists in respect of the documentary, was murdered in Madina, Accra weeks before his testimony could be taken.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas agreed to testify in the stead of Ahmed Suale on condition that he be allowed to do so in camera or in chambers.
The public should disregard false reportage that Anas has been ordered by the Supreme Court or is being compelled by the Supreme Court to appear in court without his trademark face beads.
Anas may choose to testify as a prosecution witness or not. Anas and his Tiger Eye team will continue to wear the iconic face beads as a symbol of impartial anonymity in investigative journalism and to highlight the extreme risks in that line of duty.
Source: Onuaonline.com|Ghana
