Some Ghanaians, including former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu, have claimed that renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas extorts money from those implicated in his corruption exposés.
Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Martin Amidu referred to Anas as a "anti-corruption entrepreneur" who profits from exposing corruption.
In response, in an interview on DW Africa, Anas stated that he has never participated in any form of corruption.
He added that if any of the allegations against him were true, he would not be walking as a free man.
"I have dealt with this issue previously... Martin Amidu is an elderly Ghanaian. He and I have publicly disagreed on this issue, which is acceptable. I value his opinion.
"Yet here I am, seated and speaking with you... Nobody has ever implicated me in a corruption scandal. So, like I said, it is equitable. He may describe me however he wishes.
"Even before Martin Amidu, Atlantic Magazine wrote about me and described me as a spy in addition to approximately ten other descriptors," he explained.
Anas remarked, however, that Martin Amidu's criticisms are acceptable because they are instrumental in shaping Ghana's democracy.
"The question is, how does this expand the boundaries of our democracy? And I encourage individuals like Martin to put out their necks, speak freely, and make their opinions known.
He stated, "At the end of the day, I know what I'm doing, I'm focused on it, and I can tell you there will be multiple liberal dossiers of my journalism over time."
What Martin Amidu said?
As a "anti-corruption entrepreneur" and not a true anti-corruption crusader, Anas, according to the former special prosecutor, lives in dread of his own shadow.
Amidu wrote in an article about the decision by Justice Eric Baah's High Court to dismiss a GHS 25 million defamation suit filed by the investigative journalist against Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong that Anas may have shot himself in the foot by using a power of attorney to file the suit instead of doing so himself out of fear that his true identity would be revealed.
"The rule prohibiting the admission of hearsay evidence is codified. Plaintiff Anas A. Anas has placed himself in a position where he is incapable of providing pertinent and primary evidence in person and being cross-examined because he fears his own shadow as an anti-corruption entrepreneur and not as a genuine anti-corruption crusader.
"Anas A. Anas lost his one and only opportunity to testify publicly and be cross-examined in order to establish his credibility. He wrote that genuine anti-corruption crusaders do not conceal their identities behind masks.