I did not receive $65,000 ‘bribe’ – Kwesi Nyantakyi

Former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi who has been in the news recently following the uncovering of corruption in football administration by Anas Aremeyaw Anas has refuted claims that he received $65,000 as ‘bribe’ or gift from a man called "Sheikh" claiming to be a member of the Qatari Royal Family.

According to Mr. Nyantakyi, the money given to him is a reimbursement of the amount he spent as travel expenses of three (3) trips to dubai and cost of lodging.

A detailed statement issued by the Former GFA Boss states that “From voice-over commentaries on the video I was reported to have accepted.

$65,000 in banknotes in October 2017 from a man claiming to be a member of the Qatari Royal Family (the Sheikh) who told me “that the money was for shopping” and that I then thanked the said man, “placed the banknotes into a black plastic bag” but “failed to report this large gift to the GFA” I vehemently deny the same, and wish to state that;

i. It is completely false that I received $65,000 from a person claiming to be a member of the Qatari Royal Family.

ii. It is also completely false that at the time the money was handed to me, I was informed: “that the money was for shopping”.

iii In the context of (ii) above, it is therefore false that I was handed a “large gift”.

I have already dealt with the circumstances under which I received the money from the Sheikh. Of key significance however, is the allegation that I received the sum of $65,000.

Travel expenses for the three (3) trips came up to $61,000.00 the breakdown of which is as follows:

I. Cost of air ticket for two (2) trips, board and lodging -$10,000.00

II. Cost of first-class air tickets for three others -$26,000.00

III. Cost of board and lodging for the three others at Burj Arab Hotel Dubai for five days -$25,000.00

Total cost= $61,000.00”

For the expenses incurred, Mr. said he was given $40,000 and not $65,000 as narrated by Anas and his team in the documentary.

“I was handed the sum of $40.000 only in eight (8) bundles of US$ 50 banknotes but not $65,000 which both I and the Sheikh’s agent understood to be reimbursement for the travel costs incurred by me, at the Sheikh’s request.

It is very easy to confirm how much was given to me from the videotapes. The money was exposed before I was tricked to put in the bag personally.

"A critical review of the video clip will reveal that when the money was handed to me, there was no mention of shopping. A different video has a voice emerging from a faceless speaker saying “shopping for now”. This insertion of an overriding voice was clearly an afterthought.

Based on the agreement with Suale, the $40,000 was a refund and not a gift or bribe. It's disingenuous to purport to donate a gift when the donor owes a lawful debt for cost of travels.” he noted