Ghana High Court has acquitted former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi and his co-accused of all charges related to the ‘Number 12’ exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The ruling, delivered by Her Ladyship Justice Marie-Louise Simmonds on February 13, 2025, brings an end to a protracted five-year legal battle.

The court’s decision was primarily influenced by the prosecution’s inability to present any witnesses throughout the trial. Despite multiple directives from the court, the prosecution failed to produce its key witness, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, leading to the dismissal of the case.

This outcome follows a series of legal maneuvers concerning the conditions under which Anas would testify. Notably, the Court of Appeal had previously ordered Anas to testify without his trademark mask, emphasizing the constitutional right of the accused to a fair trial.

The ‘Number 12’ exposé, released in 2018, alleged widespread corruption within Ghanaian football, with Nyantakyi purportedly accepting bribes and engaging in influence peddling. The revelations led to his resignation from multiple positions, including the GFA presidency, and a subsequent ban from football-related activities by FIFA.

With the court’s recent ruling, Nyantakyi and his co-accused have been exonerated of all charges, concluding a significant chapter in Ghana’s sports and legal history.