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The Western and Central regional branches of the Ghana Journalist Association have raised concerns over the coveted Journalist of the Year award conferred on Anas Aremeyaw Anas at the 21st GJA awards.

The concerned journalists say the award was unilaterally conferred on the investigative journalist by the GJA President Affail Monney.

In an internal memo to the executive committee of the GJA, the leadership of the Western and Central regional associations said : "It is sad to note that, the president took the decision to decide who becomes the journalist of the year, without discussing with the other five members of his team at the national level.

“We recall that after a chaotic emergency general meeting, some members picked up information that Mr. Monney wanted to change who becomes the next journalist of the year contrary to what was recommended by the award committee made up of eminent members.

“It should be on record that, the President unilaterally threw aside the recommendations of a committee and changed the journalist of the year to Anas without consulting anyone. More so when it was on record that Anas did not enter the awards”.

Anas took home Hyundai SUV plus a certificate and a plaque.

His investigative piece on the judicial corruption scandal late 2015 shook the foundations of the revered arm of government, exposing the rot in justice delivery.

Some 22 lower court judges and 12 High Court judges were captured on video in a two-year investigative piece by the international award-winning journalist and his Tiger Eye PI team, allegedly taking bribes to influence justice.

So far, 20 of the lower court judges have been removed from office including some of their superiors.