A regional network of journalists created to promote investigative journalism in West Africa, The Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO), has urged the Ghanaian Government to probe a trial judge, Justice Eric Baah who presided over the defamatory case between a lawmaker, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong and a famous investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyew Anas.
In his ruling, Justice Eric Baah described Anas as a terrorist, blackmailer, and extortionist while deciding the case in favour of a Member of Parliament from Assin Central, Agyapong.
The decision has received significant public backlash, not just from Anas and his allies but the general public.
CENOZO strongly condemned the judicial decision, which it described as iniquitous, largely self-serving, and steeped in apparent vengeance, in a press statement made available to SaharaReporter on Tuesday.
It added that it was targeted to ridicule the noble reputation and heritage Anas had built for himself and his team of investigative journalists for several years.
The statement reads: “The Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO) is shocked and concerned by the High Court of Ghana's ruling in the CIVIL SUIT NO: GT/892/2018, which impugns investigative journalist Anas Aremeyew Anas and opens him up for attack by enemies of the media and free speech.
“The suit bordering on defamation was filed by Mr. Anas against a Member of Parliament from Assin Central, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong. When taken in its entirety, the ruling not only targets investigative journalist Anas Aremeyew Anas, but also undercuts the foundation, principles, and practice of investigative journalism in Ghana and Africa.
“While we respect the right of the courts and the judiciary to carry out their constitutional duties based on the rule of law, the procedure adopted by presiding judge, Justice Eric Baah in reaching his decision was iniquitous, largely self-serving and steeped in apparent vengeance. In our capacity as a sub-regional network of investigative journalists committed to the promotion of the highest ideals of journalism, CENOZO is obligated to make the following declarations:
“Anas Aremeyaw Anas is a member of our organisation who is well-known for conducting daring investigations that have exposed the underbelly of corruption and malfeasance in Ghana and globally, thereby attracting legions of enemies and detractors, some of whom have been caught with their hands in the public pie and thoroughly disgraced, with many sentenced to prison.
“We are aware that Hon. Agyapong, a sitting parliamentarian representing Assin Central and a Ghanaian government appointee, is among those who have criticised Mr. Anas and his Tiger Eye team for the multiple exposés they have conducted over the years; it is worth noting that Hon. Agyapong has a history of human rights violations and has incited violence against journalists and activists, including Luv FM journalist Erastus Donkor during a live interview on Net 2 TV and Ahmed Hussein-Suale, Anas' team member who helped make a documentary about Ghanaian football corruption.
“As he got the photographs of Hussein-Suale displayed on a live television screen, Hon Agyapong had said: ‘This is Ahmed, you all know he lives in Madina. When you see him, beat him.’ A few weeks later, Hussein-Suale was not beaten but was fatally shot on January 16, 2019. The police have not found those responsible for killing Hussein-Suale, and Hon. Agyapong has denied responsibility for the murder even when he had publicly incited violence against the deceased journalist.
“More than that, we find it very strange that Justice Eric Baah chose to attack Mr. Anas' character and reputation rather than focusing on the merits or demerits of the defamation case that was brought before the court, branding him a ‘corrupt blackmailer, terrorist, extortionist, and evil,’ without a shred of evidence.
“We believe it is extremely unprofessional and ungodly for the judge to have descended so low and made judicial pronouncements bordering on criminality on a journalist who has never been charged with any of the offences in question.
“We also don't understand why Justice Baah would find a journalist's work and person so repulsive that he would address him in such abusive and slanderous terms.”
The group, therefore, requested that the Chief Justice of Ghana and the Ghana Legal Council (GLC), which have ‘consistently demonstrated a high level of integrity, transparency, and fairness in the administration of justice,’ investigate Justice Baah's conduct and, if found guilty, sanction him to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to exhibit future ‘acts of judicial rascality’.
It also urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to take serious steps to end impunity for crimes against journalists in his country.
“We are pleased that Mr. Anas has filed an appeal of Justice Eric Baar's decision and hope that the Court of Appeal will take it into account,” the group said.