The High Court has discharged former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, from his trial linked to the Number 12 exposé.
This decision comes after the prosecution failed to present investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a key witness in the case.
Nyantakyi had been facing charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and corruption, as well as fraud and corruption, following his appearance in the 2018 investigative documentary. The exposé, which alleged widespread corruption in African football, captured him on tape accepting money from an undercover journalist posing as a businessman.
In the footage, Nyantakyi was heard promising to use his connections with then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to facilitate business deals for the supposed investor. He was also accused of accepting bribes to influence player selections for the Ghana national team.
The trial was marred by legal debates regarding whether Anas, known for wearing a mask in public, should testify with or without it. Anas insisted on keeping his mask on, while Nyantakyi’s legal team demanded that he testify without any disguise.
Initially, the High Court ruled that Anas should reveal his face to Nyantakyi in private before testifying with his mask in open court. However, the Court of Appeal later overturned this decision, ruling that Anas must testify without his mask.
When the case was called on Thursday, February 13, 2025, state prosecutors requested a one-month adjournment, stating that they needed guidance from the Attorney General as they were unable to present Anas to testify.
Nyantakyi’s lawyers, however, argued that the charges should be dismissed due to the prosecution’s inability to proceed. The presiding judge agreed and discharged Kwesi Nyantakyi for want of prosecution.
