Kwesi Nyantakyi, former GFA boss, has been released from his ongoing trial for his role in the Number 12 exposé.
This followed the prosecution’s refusal to bring Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a key witness in the case against Kwasi Nyantakyi.
Kwesi Nyantakyi is on trial for conspiracy to commit fraud and corruption, as well as fraud and corruption, for the conduct documented in the investigative article.
The number 12 exposé revealed suspected corruption in the continent’s football sector.
Kwasi Nyantakyi, a victim of the exposé, was caught taking money from an undercover reporter posing as a businessman.
Kwasi Nyantakyi was heard in the tape promising to assist with the commercial interests of the alleged businessman, disclosing plans to use his contacts with then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He was also accused of accepting bribes to influence player selection for the Ghana national team.
The trial, however, has been postponed owing to disagreements over whether the author of the expose, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, whose modus operandi is to wear a mask when in public, should be required to testify with or without the mask.
Anas had indicated that he would testify while wearing the mask, but Kwasi Nyantakyi and his lawyers preferred that he do so without it.
Faced with a motion on the topic, the High Court directed Anas to unmask Kwasi Nyantakyi in chambers before testifying in open court while wearing a mask.
On appeal, however, the court of appeals ruled unanimously that Anas must testify without the mask.
When the case was called on Thursday, February 13, 2025, state prosecutors asked a month’s adjournment to seek advice from the Attorney General since they were unable to produce Anas to testify.
However, Kwasi Nyantakyi’s lawyers urged the court to dismiss the allegations against the accused due to a lack of prosecution.
The Judge thus released Kwasi Nyantakyi.
