Controversial legislator Kennedy Agyapong has touted the professional prowess of investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
He said even though he does not support the latter’s methodology in uncovering alleged corrupt state officials, he is sometimes tempted to embrace his style of investigations because of the conduct of some state officials.
“I am sometimes tempted to accept Anas’ style of investigations of luring people and capturing their corrupt activities on tape.
“Even though I’m against that method, sometimes one is convinced to permit that due to the attitudes of some state officials. Some officials are so corrupt that they would have to be set-up to adduce evidence against them,” the MP for Assin Central said on Adom TV on Tuesday.
Anas sues Kennedy Agyapong
Anas has dragged Mr Agyapong to court for defaming him and is asking the High Court to award aggravated damages to the tune of GH¢25 million arising from defamatory materials published by the MP.
The MP has, in the past weeks, been publishing materials in his bid to discredit the investigative journalist, who has released a piece on the rot in Ghana football.
Displeased with the MP’s actions, Anas has, through his lawyer, Mr Kissi Agyebeng, sued Mr Agyapong for the award of general damages for defamation in the defendant’s publications and granted a sports journalist, Listowell Yesu Bukarson the lawful attorney to stand in for Anas.
The publication Anas is complaining about is a May 29, 2018 live programme in Twi on Adom TV, where Mr Agyapong categorically stated that Anas was a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist and evil.
On July 3, 2018, Mr Agyapong entered a conditional appearance to the suit and subsequently filed the motion on notice for an order to strike out Anas’s Writ of Summons on July 17, 2018. His lawyer sought to move the motion on July 26, 2018.
The MP has questioned the way and manner Anas conducts his investigations and has also accused the investigative journalist of fraud and blackmail.
Mr Agyapong last month screened a video on his television station Net 2 TV which suggested that Anas allegedly demanded a bribe of $100,000 from suspects in a gold scam case he had been contracted to investigate by a foreign company.
He insists he would fight tooth and nail to end the nefarious activities of the investigative journalist.