Anas must testify without facemask in chambers – An Accra High Court rules

A High Court has ordered that investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas testify in open court disguised in his signature mask against former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwasi Nyantakyi.

Mr. Nyantakyi, on the other hand, will have the opportunity to view his face in chambers. This ruling was delivered by the court following an application by lawyers for Mr. Nyantakyi.

This is in relation to the former football administrator’s criminal trial stemming from the Number 12 documentary, which intended to expose corruption in Ghana football.

In its judgment, the court stated that it is in the interest of justice that when a citizen’s liberty is at danger, that individual be provided with the necessary facilities to defend themselves.

According to the court, Anas has been seen in public addressing the media while wearing his bead masks, demonstrating that he was comfortable appearing in public while disguised.

As a result, the court issued the following directives regarding how the matter 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.”