Prophet Emmanuel Badu Kobi, Head Pastor and Founder of Glorious Wave Church International has weighed in on the ‘appropriateness’ of Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ modus operandi during his investigative pieces.
In an interview on Kofi TV, Prophet Kobi expressed difficulty in understanding Anas’ mode of operation and related his incomprehension to the fact that he had little knowledge about the ‘faceless’ journalists’ work.
Rev Kobi in a calming voice wondered why the investigative journalist would go to the extent of influencing them with items or cash he sometimes presents as gifts only to turnaround calling them bribes.
“If I am being honest, I would say he is the only one who understands his work and what it entails because I do not understand it.
I don’t understand him. The reason is this, I am by myself somewhere, and then you come and influence me and then hand something over to me. If I take it, I don’t think it is wrong. You say someone wants to hand you a gift, what is wrong if I take it. It is supposed to be a gift. For someone to come and influence me and hand something over to me, I would say I don’t understand it. Some call it entrapment,” he said.
His line of reasoning concerning the subject seems to be agreed by many who have doubted the authenticity of Anas’ research.
One of such is Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong who recently launched a full blown attack on Anas, has in not more than one occasion expressed his dislike for the ‘faceless’ journalist, mainly because he believes Anas’ modus operandi is questionable and in most cases illegal.
Mr. Agyapong has accused Anas of being corrupt, a thief amongst several other demeaning allegations and recently released a video (WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMAN) that saw someone he presents as Anas’ negotiating payment terms with some of his ‘victims’.
Rev Badu Kobi however mentioned that although he did not understand Anas’work, the fact that bodies such as the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) have not reproached him for methods used in any of his investigative pieces proves that there are laws governing his work and he (Anas) knows what he is about.
“With Anas’ job, he knows the laws governing it and so if I comment on it, I may be wrong. He knows his job and what he does. I never hear the GJA talking against him, they seem to support him which makes me believe there are some rules regarding the work he does,” he said.
Prophet Badu Kobi of Glorious Wave International further advised that in order not to make quick judgments and wrongly address the situation, “so long as you don’t understand someone’s job, don’t talk.”
Anas’ latest exposé dubbed "Number 12" which captures many referees and key officials within the association in compromising positions has caused a shakeup in the country's football.
Mr Nyantakyi was recorded taking a cash gift of $65,000 and negotiating a sponsorship deal with potential investors who turned out to be investigators.
Many were especially disappointed in Mr Nyantakyi who has not more than once successfully debunked rumours about him being corrupt in the past.
Meanwhile, Mr Nyatakyi has since resigned from his post while the police investigate the matter.