Anas Aremeyaw Anas Wins $18M Defamation Lawsuit Against Kennedy Agyapong

Renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has celebrated his legal triumph in the United States as a landmark victory for press freedom and accountability.

Anas Declares After $18M Defamation Victory Against Ken Agyapong

On Monday, an eight-member jury at the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey unanimously ruled in favor of Anas, finding former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation and awarding $18 million in damages.

The defamation lawsuit stemmed from Agyapong’s statements following the airing of the BBC documentary Betraying the Game on October 28, 2018. The documentary exposed corruption in football, a subject that Anas had extensively investigated.

Following the verdict, Anas issued a statement emphasizing that this victory is not just a legal win but a powerful message against falsehood and character assassination. He reiterated his commitment to strengthening democracy and ensuring justice for ordinary Ghanaians.

Anas highlighted the rigorous defamation standards in the U.S., where plaintiffs must prove “clear and convincing evidence of malice”. The unanimous jury decision confirmed that Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in making his claims.

This ruling stands in stark contrast to Anas’ 2018 defamation case in Ghana, where the Accra High Court dismissed his lawsuit despite Agyapong admitting that he had no evidence to support his allegations. Justice Eric Baah not only dismissed the case but controversially labeled Anas as a criminal instead.

Supreme Court Justice Kulendi later condemned the ruling as a “violent abuse of judicial authority”, underscoring systemic flaws within Ghana’s judiciary. Anas used the New Jersey verdict to highlight the urgent need for judicial reform in Ghana.

The trial, presided over by Honorable Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, saw both Kennedy Agyapong and his brother, Ralph Agyapong, testify in their defense. As in Ghana, Agyapong attempted to use audiovisual evidence from his controversial documentary Who Watches the Watchman and cited the Ghanaian court ruling in his favor.

However, these arguments were successfully countered by Anas’ legal team, led by Andrew Deheer, Esq.. The jury ultimately returned a decisive 8-0 verdict against Agyapong.

Anas hailed the outcome as a victory for truth and accountability, asserting that politicians cannot take the media for granted.

“Today’s outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: the press plays an indispensable role in scrutinizing power and holding leaders accountable. Any attempt to undermine this essential function will be met with resolute resistance,” Anas declared.

This case not only reaffirms the power of investigative journalism but also underscores the importance of a free press in ensuring transparency and justice.