Former president of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi has replied to the allegations of corruption levelled against him the investigative documentary by Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tiger Eye PI titled #Number12.
The release of the video sparked numerous agitations from the football family in Ghana and beyond with FIFA suspending Nyantakyi for 90days provisionally with an option to extend for a further 45days depending on the outcome of the investigations by the independent FIFA ethics committee.
However, in a nine page tirade, Mr Nyantakyi vehemently defended his actions in the said video claiming portions of it were clearly “voice overs” aimed at tarnishing his image.
Kwesi Nyantakyi took turns to apologise to the president, vice president, the former president, ministers and other appointees and his family who have been mentioned by him in the video saying;
“I owe them my deepest apologies because in my interaction with the supposed Sheikh from Qatar and his agents, I made comments that were not responsible having regard to my stature and experience. Those comments resulted from a poor exercise of discretion arising on the spur of the moment and in the circumstances in which I interacted with the supposed Sheikh and his agents. I think I was carried away by the lies represented to me. I am deeply sorry for the inconveniences my unguarded utterances have caused you.”
“I also apologize to well-meaning and discerning Ghanaians, who I have by virtue of my indiscretion offended.”
“I extend the same level of apology to my family, friends and associates for the anguish and hardship this issue has created for them.”
Mr. Nyantakyi dared Anas to show the “unedited” full version of the video and allow Ghanaians to judge.
He also claimed that “a third party” had sought to demand $150k from him to prevent the public viewing of the video across Ghana which he declined because according to him he is innocent.
Nyantakyi also denied knowledge of a third party company purported to be negotiating the deal of the sponsorship arrangement in the video with the supposed ‘investors’.
It remains unclear how the Anas team will react to this release. But the coming days will be interesting.
In a related development, Anas has submitted his own version of evidence of corruption against Mr. Nyantakyi to the Police Criminal Investigations Department to aid in their investigations.
Below are excerpts of the release by Kwesi Nyantakyi:
“From voice over commentaries on the video I was reported to have accepted $65,000 in banknotes in October 2017 from a man claiming to be a member of the Qatari Royal Family (the Sheikh) who told me “that the money was for shopping” and that I then thanked the said man, “placed the banknotes into a black plastic bag” but “failed to report this large gift to the GFA.” “I vehemently deny the same…………….”
“A critical review of the video clip will reveal that when the money was handed to me, there was no mention of shopping. A different video has a voice emerging from a faceless speaker saying “shopping for now”. This insertion of an overriding voice was clearly an afterthought.”
“Based on the agreement with Suale, the $40,000 was a refund and not a gift or bribe. Its disingenuous to purport to donate a gift when the donor owes a lawful debt for cost of travels.”
“The question that beats my mind is why Tiger Eye lied about the amount of money given to me. Why was the viewing public not allowed to perceive what they saw and heard on the video themselves? Why run commentaries to deceive the viewing public?”
“Let me also confirm that there was a demand on me through a third party to part with $150k for Anas to drop the videos on me. I didn’t have the said amount of money to meet his demand.”
“My humble request to the Ghanaian public now is this, having heard my side, whatever your view is, please tell Anas to let you have the benefit of the full video devoid of his prior commentary and advice. You are capable of understanding things yourself. Unfortunately, I do not have a video to show you because I dealt with people I trusted to be businessmen because they were introduced to me by a person I knew well. I have learnt the bitter way that the fact you trust someone does not mean you must trust who they trust.”
“I assure all my friends and loved ones that I am determined to deal with this matter in accordance with the law as well as the most ethical and professional standards.”
