Award-winning investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, and private investigation firm, Tiger Eye P.I, have categorically denied any involvement in soliciting or accepting bribes from Kwesi Nyantakyi prior to the publication of the Number 12 documentary.
The former Ghana Football Association president alleged recently on live TV that he paid $100,000 to investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, in an attempt to kill the release of the Number 12 exposé that revealed Nyantakyi’s allegedly taking bribes.
According to Nyantakyi, Anas demanded an amount of $150,000 through his lawyers, to kill the story, but he could only come up with $100,000.
READ ALSO: Anas Demanded $150k from Me to ‘kill’ Number 12 Exposé – Kwesi Nyantakyi
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“They requested through Munkaila and I was contacted by Lawyer Kwame Gyan, a Law lecturer at the University of Ghana who said Anas was his student and that he was demanding $150,000 to kill the expose but I could only pay $100,000…,” he revealed in an interview with Captain Smart on Onua TV.
However, Tiger PI and Anas, in a statement released on Tuesday strongly denied the allegations, branding the ex-football administrator as naive.
“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 documentary. The core mission of Tiger Eye and Anas is to expose and confront corruption, making the notion of shielding corrupt individuals utterly preposterous given the extensive resources and efforts invested in producing such exposés,” they wrote in a statement.
“Mr. Nyantakyi’s assumption that such a priceless exposé, which had long been advertised by BBC, could be shelved by simply ‘paying’ a $100,000 bribe is not only shocking but also indicative of naivety. Tiger Eye underscores its robust internal mechanisms in place, making it difcult for any individual to alter or suppress an investigation.
”Mr. Nyantakyi, by his admission, is a self-confessed bribe-giver, and a bribe-taker for attempting to bribe his way out of a painstaking investigation into his conduct. Per his self-confessed bribery attempt, Mr. Nyantakyi has proven that the life-ban from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for conflict of interest and bribery offences provided for by FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE) was justified.”
Tiger Eye PI, also denied ever having a working relationship with one Kwame Gyan, the lawyer Nyantakyi alleged facilitated the attempted bribery between the two parties.
The investigative firm also challenged the former CAF Vice President to produce evidence of the alleged arrangement.
”It should be noted that neither Tiger Eye P.I. nor Anas Aremeyaw Anas engaged the services of a lawyer named Kwame Gyan from the University of Ghana. At all material times, including before, during, and after the production of the Number12 documentary, Tiger Eye and Anas have exclusively retained the legal representation of CromwellGray LLP, situated in Cantonments, Accra.
“CromwellGray LLP has consistently acted as legal counsel for Anas in matters relating to litigation initiated by or against journalistic publications involving Anas.
“Tiger Eye P.I. unequivocally asserts that any purported criminal arrangement between Mr. Nyantakyi and any alleged lawyer remains solely between Mr. Nyantakyi and the purported recipient.
“Tiger Eye P.I. firmly denies any involvement or knowledge of such activities. Should Mr. Nyantakyi’s claims hold substance, we challenge him to pursue legal action against Lawyer Kwame Gyan, including lodging a petition with the General Legal Council, to substantiate his allegations, ” part of the statement said.
Read the full press statement of Tiger Eye P.I:
2 April 2024 | PRESS RELEASE
UNVEILING THE PLOT: THE NYANTAKYI BRIBERY SAGA
- Tiger Eye P.I. has recently been made aware of an allegation concerning the payment of a bribe by the disgraced former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, to lawyer(s) purportedly representing renowned undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The alleged purpose of this bribe was to prevent the publication of the famous Number12 documentary, which focused on corrupt practices within African football.
- Numerous media outlets have reported on Mr. Nyantakyi’s confession, wherein he claims to have paid a sum of $100,000 as a bribe to Anas’s lawyer by name, Kwame Gyan, a lecturer at University of Ghana.
- 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 documentary. The core mission of Tiger Eye and Anas is to expose and confront corruption, making the notion of shielding corrupt individuals utterly preposterous given the extensive resources and efforts invested in producing such exposés.
- It should be noted that neither Tiger Eye P.I. nor Anas Aremeyaw Anas engaged the services of a lawyer named Kwame Gyan from the University of Ghana. At all material times, including before, during, and after the production of the Number12 documentary, Tiger Eye and Anas have exclusively retained the legal representation of CromwellGray LLP, situated in Cantonments, Accra. CromwellGray LLP has consistently acted as legal counsel for Anas in matters relating to litigation initiated by or against journalistic publications involving Anas.
- Tiger Eye P.I. unequivocally asserts that any purported criminal arrangement between Mr. Nyantakyi and any alleged lawyer remains solely between Mr. Nyantakyi and the purported recipient. Tiger Eye P.I. firmly denies any involvement or knowledge of such activities. Should Mr. Nyantakyi’s claims hold substance, we challenge him to pursue legal action against Lawyer Kwame Gyan, including lodging a petition with the General Legal Council, to substantiate his allegations.
- Mr. Nyantakyi’s assumption that such a priceless exposé, which had long been advertised by BBC, could be shelved by simply ‘paying’ a $100,000 bribe is not only shocking but also indicative of naivety. Tiger Eye underscores its robust internal mechanisms in place, making it difcult for any individual to alter or suppress an investigation.
- Mr. Nyantakyi, by his admission, is a self-confessed bribe-giver, and a bribe-taker for attempting to bribe his way out of a painstaking investigation into his conduct. Per his self-confessed bribery attempt, Mr. Nyantakyi has proven that the life-ban from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for conflict of interest and bribery offences provided for by FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE) was justified.
- Presently, Mr. Nyantakyi remains a subject of a ban from all football-related activities, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, he faces ongoing criminal trial for corruption and fraud at the High Court in Accra. Mr. Nyantakyi’s desperation to evade accountability could only happen after the murder of the key witness for the state, Ahmed Suale, after his face was shown on national televsion. A day before his assasination, Mr. Suale was in conference with state prosecutors over the criminal trial of Nyantakyi.
- Anas Aremeyaw Anas, now a crucial witness for the state, has opted not to testify following a Supreme Court ruling mandating him to show his face to Mr. Nyantakyi and his legal team. Anas perceives this as a significant risk to his personal safety. However, should the Supreme Court grant permission for his testimony without disclosing his identity, Anas is prepared to cooperate fully as a witness for the state.
- Tiger Eye P.I. observes that the reiteration of these allegations initially surfaced through Mariam, the wife of Kwesi Nyantakyi. Her subsequent silence ensued following challenges to provide substantiating evidence for her claims.
- It is noted that Mr. Nyantakyi appears to be endeavouring to restore his credibility, presumably with aspirations to contest as a parliamentary candidate for the Ejisu constituency under the New Patriotic Party. However, Tiger Eye P.I. asserts its independence from such endeavours. The decision regarding Mr. Nyantakyi’s eligibility rests with the NPP and the constituents of Ejisu. Nonetheless, it’s imperative to emphasize that Tiger Eye P.I. conducted a thorough investigation, leading to Mr. Nyantakyi’s conviction and subsequent ban from football activities due to bribery, conflict of interest.
- Tiger Eye remains committed to exposing crime and graft in Ghana and beyond.
ENDS
