Anas Aremeyaw Anas, an investigative journalist, and his firm Tiger Eye P.I. have refuted claims made by the former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, alleging that he paid $100,000 to prevent the broadcast of the controversial Number12 documentary.
In an interview on Onua TV, Kwesi Nyantakyi asserted that he had paid $100,000 to Anas through a lawyer. This payment was made with the understanding and agreement that he would be removed from the Number 12 documentary, where he was depicted in a potentially incriminating manner.
Tiger Eye P.I. has strongly denied any involvement in soliciting bribes from Nyantakyi.
Tiger Eye P.I., in their statement dated April 2, 2024, clarified that their exclusive legal representation is CromwellGray LLP, refuting Nyantakyi’s claim of having engaged a different lawyer.
The investigative firm also highlighted that Nyantakyi’s admission of paying bribes confirmed the justification for his subsequent FIFA ban from football activities.
Nyantakyi has announced his candidacy for the NPP slot in the upcoming Ejisu Constituency by-elections. Despite facing an ongoing legal battle stemming from his actions in the Number 12 documentary, Tiger Eye P.I. claims he is actively seeking to rebuild his credibility.
The investigative firm concluded that Nyantakyi’s ability to participate in the by-elections depends on the New Patriotic Party and the constituents of Ejisu. This determination stems from the public knowledge of the former GFA boss’s abuse of power during his tenure.
Below is the full statement from Tiger Eye P.I.
Exposing the Scheme: The Nyantakyi Bribery Scandal
Initially, Tiger Eye P.I. has recently learned of an allegation regarding the payment of a bribe by Kwesi Nyantakyi, the disgraced former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), to lawyer(s) who were reportedly representing the well-known undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
This alleged bribe was intended to halt the publication of the renowned Number12 documentary, which exposed corrupt practices in African football.
Furthermore, many media outlets have covered Mr. Nyantakyi’s confession, in which he admits to paying a $100,000 bribe to Kwame Gyan, a lecturer at the University of Ghana and the lawyer representing Anas.
Additionally, Tiger Eye P.I. and Anas Aremeyaw Anas categorically deny any involvement in soliciting or accepting bribes from Kwesi Nyantakyi prior to the publication of the investigative report.
The core mission of Tiger Eye and Anas is to uncover and confront corruption, making the notion of shielding corrupt individuals utterly preposterous given the extensive resources and efforts invested in producing such investigative reports.
Moreover, neither Tiger Eye P.I. nor Anas Aremeyaw Anas enlisted the assistance of Kwame Gyan, a lawyer from the University of Ghana.
Throughout the entire process, including before, during, and after the production of the Number12 documentary, Tiger Eye and Anas have consistently relied on CromwellGray LLP for legal representation. Situated in Cantonments, Accra, CromwellGray LLP has always been the exclusive legal counsel for Anas, particularly in litigation matters concerning journalistic publications concerning him.
In addition, Tiger Eye P.I. firmly states that any potential criminal dealings between Mr. Nyantakyi and a purported lawyer are solely their affair, with no involvement or knowledge from Tiger Eye P.I. If Mr. Nyantakyi’s accusations are valid, we challenge him to take legal steps against Lawyer Kwame Gyan, including filing a complaint with the General Legal Council, to prove his claims.
Nonetheless, Mr. Nyantakyi’s belief that a significant exposé, extensively promoted by the BBC, could be stopped by a mere ‘$100,000’ bribe is not just surprising but also suggests a lack of understanding. Tiger Eye emphasizes its strong internal controls, making it challenging for anyone to manipulate or halt an investigation.
Consequently, Mr. Nyantakyi has admitted to both offering and accepting bribes in an effort to evade a thorough investigation into his behavior. His admission confirms the validity of the life ban imposed by the FIFA Code of Ethics, which prohibits individuals involved in football from engaging in any national or international football-related activities due to conflicts of interest and bribery offenses.
However, Mr. Nyantakyi is under a ban from all football-related activities, both domestically and internationally. He is also undergoing a criminal trial for corruption and fraud at the High Court in Accra.
His efforts to avoid accountability became more pronounced after the murder of the key witness for the state, Ahmed Suale, whose face was shown on national television. The day before his assassination, Mr. Suale was in discussions with state prosecutors regarding Nyantakyi’s criminal trial.
Therefore, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, considered a pivotal witness for the state, has chosen not to testify after a Supreme Court decision requiring him to reveal his identity to Mr. Nyantakyi and his legal representatives.
Anas views this as a substantial threat to his safety. Nevertheless, if the Supreme Court allows him to testify without disclosing his identity, Anas is willing to fully cooperate as a witness for the state.
Meanwhile, Tiger Eye P.I. also noted that the allegations were first brought to light by Mariam, Kwesi Nyantakyi’s wife.
However, she remained silent afterward due to difficulties in providing supporting evidence for her claims.
Nevertheless, Mr. Nyantakyi is reportedly attempting to rebuild his credibility, likely in preparation to run as a parliamentary candidate for the Ejisu constituency under the New Patriotic Party. However, Tiger Eye P.I. maintains its independence from any such efforts.
The determination of Mr. Nyantakyi’s suitability rests with the NPP and the constituents of Ejisu. It is important to stress that Tiger Eye P.I. conducted a comprehensive investigation, which resulted in Mr. Nyantakyi’s conviction and subsequent ban from football activities due to bribery and conflict of interest.
In conclusion, Tiger Eye remains dedicated to uncovering criminal activities and corruption in Ghana and other locations.
