The Court of Appeal has ruled that investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas must remove his trademark mask and testify in open court in the case against former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi. This decision overturns an earlier High Court ruling that permitted Anas to testify behind closed doors. The three-member panel, comprising Justices Anthony Oppong, Ackaah Boafo, and Aboagye Tandoh, emphasized that Anas must appear like any other witness to ensure a fair trial.
The judges also criticized the High Court for revisiting the request for Anas to testify in disguise, stating that the matter had already been settled by a previous Supreme Court ruling. They ruled that the High Court had overstepped its authority by reconsidering the issue, which should have remained binding under the legal principle of stare decisis. This doctrine mandates that lower courts adhere to precedents set by higher courts, making it clear that Anas must testify without anonymity.
With this ruling, Anas, widely known for his undercover investigative journalism, will be required to appear in court without his trademark hood while testifying against Nyantakyi. The case stems from Anas’ 2018 investigative documentary, Number 12, which exposed alleged corruption in Ghanaian football, leading to Nyantakyi’s downfall. Nyantakyi faces charges linked to these revelations, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle.
