Investigative journalist with Tiger Eye Private Investigations, Ahmed Hussein Suale was murdered by an unknown assailant in his vehicle on January 16, 2019.

Ahmed was shot three times, twice in the chest and another in the neck late Wednesday night at Madina in Accra while he was driving home by unidentified men.

He was part of a team of undercover journalists led by renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. 

The deceased was key in the #12 investigations about corruption in Africa which led to the downfall of former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi. 

There are reports that the disgraced GFA boss had allegedly called Mr Suale to threaten him. 

Also, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong splashed images of the undercover journalist on the internet and on live television advertised for the killing of the young man for monetary compensation.

It has been exactly a year since he was killed, however, the family of the late journalist is yet to receive what they can call justice for their son, brother and husband.

Below is the timeline of happenings. 

January 16, 2019

Anas' key partner shot dead – News of the death of the investigative journalist made headlines across the world. 

January 18, 2019

International bodies such as the FIFA and the United Nations(UN) heavily condemned the killing.

In a statement, FIFA said it ‘has been extremely disturbed and saddened to hear of the news that a local journalist based in Ghana – Mr Ahmed Hussein-Suale – was shot dead yesterday. “FIFA reiterates its support for journalists doing important investigative work, which on many occasions leads to an improvement in government standards, not only in football but across the board in public life”. The United Nations also sent a message to mourn and condemn the gruesome killing of the undercover investigator. Sylvia Lopez-Ekra is the UN’s Acting Resident Coordinator in Ghana The Acting Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Sylvia Lopez-Ekra in a statement expressed “strong condemnation”. 

Also, former President, Jerry John Rawlings condemned the “reckless” murder of the undercover journalist. He stated that Ahmed’s case “cannot end like others” but charged the police to find the killers.

Former President Jerry Rawlings

“We have to get to the bottom of these questionable circumstances and their implications for our wider safety,” he tweeted.

January 18, 2019

The slain journalist was laid to rest at the Madina cemetery after prayers were offered for his soul, two days after his death.

 

January 20, 2019

After his burial, the family of the deceased revealed that he started to receive death threats after his photos were published by MP Kennedy Agyapong.

This perhaps confirms the view of many that the young man would have still been alive had Assin Central MP not published his photographs out of anger against his work.

The Minority in Parliament convened a press conference to condemn the “barbaric slaying of the young and budding undercover journalist.”

January 22, 2019

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) attributed the death of Ahmed Suale to ‘State Failure’.

“While individuals and institutions have a responsibility to protect journalists, the state has primary responsibility in providing safety and protection for all, including journalists.

“But over the years, the Ghanaian state has woefully failed to live up to its duties as far as the safety of journalists is concerned,” Sulemana Braimah who heads the Foundation said. 

Janaury 28, 2019

In the face of several accusations of being the mastermind behind the death of Ahmed Suale, MP for  Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong placed a bounty on the killers of the journalist.

He offered a ¢100,000 reward to anyone who will volunteer information that would lead to the arrest of the killers of the journalist. 

February 4, 2019 Three weeks after his murder, lawyer for private investigations firm, Tiger Eye P.I said they have submitted “significant” evidence to the police to assist in investigations into the murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale. Kissi Agyabeng disclosed they have submitted a tape that contained threats on the life of Ahmed and other members of the team who worked on the #Number 12 documentary. 

On February 7, 2019, Police arrested six men in connection to the killing of Ahmed Hussein-Suale. 

Director-General of Police Public Affairs, ACP David Eklu told journalists in Kumasi the arrests were made following interviews with persons who witnessed the gruesome murder of the journalist. 

March 22, 2019

During the course of investigations, head of Tiger Eye PI Anas Aremeyaw expressed frustration at the indifference of the Police service in the case of the late journalist.

Speaking in an interview with the International Press Institute, he said although he was initially optimistic about the police investigation, the police have now developed 'cold feet' and achieved minimal progress. "We [everyone involved in the investigation] were all targets - and we are still targets.” On April 2, 2019, the Police interrogated Kennedy Agyapong and 13 other people in relation to the death of the journalist. 

A few days later (April 11, 2019) another suspect who tried to bribe the police was arrested.

Acting Greater Accra Region Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Boadu Peprah told Accra-based Citi FM that 29-year-old Abdul Rasheed had tried to bribe the police. “This morning, we had information that the suspect called a Policeman that he has got information that the Accra Regional Police Command is looking for him in connection with Suale’s death and that he wants the policeman to assist him so the Accra Regional Police will stop pursuing him. August 6, 2019

Seven months down the line, the family of the murdered journalist appealed that justice flowed ‘quickly’.

The family of murdered Tiger Eye PI Investigator, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, say they are worried about the lack of information from the police on the status of investigations.

November 28, 2019

Led by the deceased’s former boss, Anas, 32 West African journalists visited the grave of the late 33-year-old pressman.

January 15, 2020

One year after the killing of Ghana journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, expressed deep concern over the lack of progress in the murder investigation.

A renowned international journalist, Guillaume Perrier, has published findings of a private investigation into the murder of Ahmed Hussein Suale, alleging that the Ghana Police Service failed to follow up on a key lead.

Mr Perrier on Thursday tweeted that his team of investigators have proof that former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, sent death threats to the murdered undercover journalist and although the death threat has been filed, it was not pursued.

As it still stands, there is yet to be any substantive judgement from the courts to indict any of the suspects that were arrested during investigations.

The family of Ahmed Suale are still fighting each day to attain justice for their brother.

Whether or not there will be any more arrests or a verdict from the court is left to the investigations that have stalled.