The panel of three, presided over by Justice Anthony Oppong, set the date after the parties were ordered to file their respective written submissions on December 16, 2024.
The decision of the panel, which includes Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah Boafo and Justice Aboagye Tandoh, will determine the progress of the matter before the High Court.
On May 17, 2023, the High Court, presided over by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, granted an application from the lawyers of the former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president and ordered that Anas unmask to the accused persons in chambers before testifying in open court while masked.
However, Anas, the star prosecution witness in the case in which Nyantakyi and Abdulai Alhassan have been charged with fraud (following the death of Ahmed Suale), declined the ruling, stalling the trial’s commencement.
State prosecutors subsequently filed an appeal against the High Court’s ruling, leaving the case pending until the Court of Appeal delivers its verdict.
At the High Court on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, when the case was called before a relieving judge, Justice Ruby Aryeetey, it was adjourned to February 13, 2025.
Defense lawyer Baffour Gyau Bonsu Ashia clarified, “We are currently waiting for the decision by the Court of Appeal.” He added that the determination of the appeal has been scheduled for January 30, 2025.
“We pray the matter be adjourned to February 13, the same day the substantive matter has been adjourned to,” counsel requested, and the case was adjourned accordingly.
Charges
The former GFA president was charged with fraud and corruption over his involvement in Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigative exposé, Number 12.
Nyantakyi, along with former Northern Regional GFA representative Abdulai Alhassan, has been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud. Both have pleaded not guilty.
The two football administrators remain on their previous bail sum of GH₵1 million each with three sureties to be justified. They are also required to report to the case investigator until the final determination of the case.
Background
Nyantakyi came under heavy criticism after the content of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigative piece, Number 12, was aired in Ghana on June 6, 2018.
The video captured Nyantakyi allegedly taking $65,000 (approximately £48,000) from an undercover reporter posing as a businessman. It also showed top GFA officials, including Nyantakyi, allegedly accepting bribes to influence player selection, playing time, and referee appointments.
The exposé further implicated over 100 referees who were allegedly caught accepting bribes to manipulate match outcomes in favor of certain teams.
Following the documentary’s screening, which drew over 3,000 attendees, widespread calls emerged for the complete dissolution of the GFA and the resignation of Nyantakyi.
Nyantakyi, who also served as the first vice president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), eventually resigned from all football-related positions. FIFA later suspended him and subsequently banned him for life from all football activities.
ALSO READ: