Former Ghana Football Association(GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi has hailed the Accra High Court for ruling in favor of Kennedy Agyapong in the defamation suit filed against him by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Eric Baah on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, ruled that Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong was justified for among other things calling investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas a thief and a corrupt person.
In his judgment, the judge noted that the MP ought to be commended instead of being condemned for his sustained attacks on the journalist which resulted in the filing of a GH¢25 million defamation suit by Anas.
“In all honesty, the plot by plaintiff and his group in exhibit KOA4 has nothing to do with journalism. It was a scheme for grabbing power by the back door and satisfying plaintiff’s insatiable taste for power, publicity, fame, awards, and rewards.
“Since the president is an embodiment of the soul of the nation, any unwarranted plot out of nothing to entrap him to destroy his reputation and undermine his authority is reproachable. The attacks of defendant on plaintiff on that ground deserves commendation and not condemnation,” the judge said while making reference to some work done by Anas in the past for which Kennedy Agyapong in various pronouncements accused him of attempting to entrap some political figures in the sub-region.
“I hold in respect of exhibits KOA3 and KOA4, that any statements based on them were justified and passed the test of fair comment.
“In the result, the court finds established the defence of justification and fair comment in relation to the statements of defendant based on exhibits KOA1, KOA2, KOA3 and KOA4. Since those statements were justified, they could not have actually defamed the plaintiff,” Justice Baah added.
In an interview with Accra-based Oman FM, Nyantakyi commended the court’s decision, stating that it demonstrated the truth about Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
He said, “The high court’s decision testifies to the truth that Anas Aremeyaw Anas is not honest but as described by the court, he is a blackmailer and an extortionist.”
“The judge also described his job as an investigative terrorist instead of an investigative journalist. I have said before that Tiger Eye PI is a terrorist group. We have all been educated in our line of jobs such as journalism, law, engineering and medicine among others so what is so important to blackmail someone? If the person has really committed a crime, why not just go out and publish their deeds straightforwardly but rather ask for money first?”
“But the court has finally exposed him. He has been totally disgraced. He once portrayed himself as an angel but today I’m not even sure he is at the devil’s level yet. He is a disgraceful person.”
Kwesi Nyantakyi lost all of his football positions, including his role as a member of the FIFA Executive Council and the Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the airing of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigative documentary.