Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has declared his $18 million defamation victory against former MP Kennedy Agyapong in New Jersey as a significant triumph for justice and press freedom.
Speaking after the Essex County Superior Court verdict, Anas described the ruling as a “resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society” and a crucial step in Ghana’s democratic journey.
“Yesterday, an eight-member jury delivered a unanimous verdict finding Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation and awarding damages of 18 million U.S. dollars,” Anas announced.
“These damages arise from statements he made following the airing of the BBC documentary on corruption, Betraying the Game, on October 28, 2018.”
For Anas, the ruling goes beyond a personal victory—it is a beacon of hope for journalists and citizens committed to accountability and transparency.
“This decision is not merely a legal triumph—it reinforces our commitment to building a robust democracy that serves all ordinary Ghanaians,” he stated.
He underscored the significance of winning a defamation case in the United States, noting the high legal threshold required.
“Proving defamation in the United States is an exceptionally high hurdle, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malice,” Anas explained.
“That the jury ruled unanimously in my favour underscores that Mr Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against me.”
Drawing a sharp contrast with his experience in Ghana, Anas lamented the failure of the Ghanaian judiciary to deliver justice when he pursued a similar case against Agyapong in 2018.
“Regrettably, the situation in Ghana was starkly different,” he said.
“Despite Mr. Agyapong’s own admission of lacking evidence to support his calumnious claims, Justice Eric Baah of the Accra High Court not only denied me justice but also unjustly portrayed me—the civil plaintiff—as a criminal.”
He highlighted how the Ghanaian ruling was later condemned by Supreme Court Justice Kulendi, who described it as a “violent abuse of judicial authority.”
According to Anas, this underscores the systemic flaws in Ghana’s judiciary that demand urgent reform. “Such outcomes are a stark reminder of the systemic flaws within our Ghanaian judicial system—flaws that demand urgent reform,” he stressed.
In contrast, he lauded the fairness of the proceedings in the U.S. court, where both Kennedy Agyapong and his brother, Ralph Agyapong, took the stand.
“Presided over by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, the case saw Mr Agyapong take the stand alongside his brother. As he had in Ghana, he introduced audiovisual evidence under the title Who Watches the Watchman and even cited the Ghanaian judgment in his defence,” Anas recounted.
“Despite these efforts, our case—thoroughly prepared and presented by my legal team led by Andrew Deheer, Esq.—prevailed with an 8-0 verdict on every count.”
Anas declared that this ruling sends a clear warning to politicians who believe they can attack journalists without consequences.
“Today’s outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: you cannot take the media for granted,” he stated firmly.
“The press plays an indispensable role in scrutinizing power and holding leaders accountable, and any attempt to undermine this essential function will be met with resolute resistance.”
He expressed deep appreciation for his legal team – Andrew Deheer, Arthur Wemegah, Evans Selasi Adika, and Odei Krow, – as well as his supporters who stood by him throughout this battle.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to my legal team, my supporters, and to everyone who has stood by my side in this relentless pursuit of truth,” he said.
While awaiting the final determination on punitive damages, Anas remains resolute in his commitment to fighting corruption.
“The fight against corruption continues unabated. We will persist in rooting out graft and holding accountable the bad actors in our society,” he declared.
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