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It is emerging, a prominent Accra-based lawyer acted as an intermediary in the payment of $100,000 to stop investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tiger Eye PI from premiering the Number12 documentary.

Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul-Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, says the ex-Ghana Football Association (GFA) president allegedly gave $100,000 to a prominent lawyer ostensibly to plead on his behalf for the suspension of screening.

Mr. Baako did not disclose the identity of the said lawyer while speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana Thursday, November 8.

His comments follow the claim by Christine-Marie Nyantakyi, wife of the embattled GFA president that some persons approached her husband with the demand to pay $150,000 to stop Anas from screening the “Number 12” documentary.
 
“They proposed $150,000, [but] my husband couldn’t afford it, so he gave out $100,000 and they came back to him and said the person says you need to add $50,000, and he said ‘well, I don’t have it; that’s all that I have…," she said on Tuesday.

According to her, the money was returned to them in tranches after Anas went ahead to screen the documentary. 

"They brought $40,000 first; and then, later on, they brought $60,000,” Mrs. Nyantakyi added.

But Kweku Baako has denied any involvement of Anas Aremeyaew Anas or his Tiger Eye PI team in such a deal challenging the ex- GFA President to name those who collected the $100,000 alleged bribe money he claims to have paid.
 
“I know they [Anas and Tiger Eye] can’t do that because it didn’t happen. Anas didn’t send anybody anytime, anywhere to go and ask for any money from Kwesi Nyantakyi.

“It didn’t happen, never! [But ] they go around telling lies and you bring this beautiful lady to come to say those things on TV,” he said. 

He said the decision of the former GFA boss and his family to go public with the issue has not only angered the private law practitioner in the controversy but some high profile personalities who are aware of the issue.

“The man [Anas] has given you a near fatal blow and you are down and you and your wife are protecting him, this is the time to deliver a counter blow.
 
“Say yes, Anas or so, so and so person close to Anas was sent by Anas to come and collect this money in order not to show [Number 12]. Come on, have the courage," he dared.

Mr. Baako said the said intermediary returned the money “because Anas has not asked any money from anybody. So, if someone else collected the money, she should tell us.”