Investigative journalist Edmund Kudzayi has strongly denied extortion claims leveled against him by businessman Kenneth Sharpe, dismissing them as baseless and an attempt to silence critics through legal intimidation.
In a statement, Kudzayi refuted Sharpe’s assertion that a USD 24,344 payment made to him in 2023 constituted extortion. Instead, he clarified that the amount was part of a legitimate settlement for completed work initially valued at over USD 160,000.
A former editor of The Sunday Mail, Kudzayi suggested that the allegations were a deliberate effort to discredit his ongoing investigations into Sharpe’s alleged misuse of state institutions and his string of 40 consecutive legal victories, which Kudzayi described as suspicious.
He accused Sharpe of manipulating the judicial system, relying on corrupt networks to secure favorable rulings, and using defunct companies, such as Augur Investments OU, to pursue legal battles.
According to Kudzayi, the USD 24,344 payment was a negotiated settlement for professional services and not an act of coercion. He alleged that Sharpe deliberately delayed payment while pressuring him to remain silent about his business dealings.
“My silence was never for sale,” Kudzayi declared, explaining that he was coerced into signing an agreement with Sharpe’s legal team, which he argues lacked legal merit as it was signed under duress.
He further pointed out the contradiction in Sharpe’s legal team demanding a refund of the payment while also accusing him of extortion. “Since when do extortionists issue refunds?” Kudzayi questioned, challenging the legitimacy of the police investigation into the case.
Kudzayi alleged that Sharpe has used his financial and political influence to manipulate state institutions, including law enforcement, the judiciary, and the media, to suppress dissent. He accused Sharpe of orchestrating fabricated cases against his critics.
He highlighted a court document where police labeled him “on the run” before making any formal contact, viewing it as part of a broader strategy to discredit him in the public eye.
Kudzayi also claimed that Sharpe leveraged his connections to project an image of being closely tied to the President’s Office, using this perceived influence to deter scrutiny.
The dispute mirrors other legal battles involving Sharpe. Kudzayi compared his situation to that of George Katsimberis, a Greek businessman entangled in a legal fight with Sharpe over a collapsed property project. Katsimberis has long accused Sharpe of colluding with city officials to invalidate his building permits, resulting in demolitions and prolonged legal disputes.
Despite facing legal threats, Kudzayi remains undeterred, vowing to continue exposing Sharpe’s alleged misconduct.
“My investigative work will persist, and I will continue revealing the truth, no matter the risks,” he asserted.
To support his claims, Kudzayi has publicly shared private communications, including an audio message sent to Sharpe, emails with Sharpe’s Chief Operating Officer, and legal documents exchanged between both parties.
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