An Essex County jury has awarded investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas $18 million in damages after ruling in his favor in a defamation lawsuit against Kennedy Agyapong, former Member of Parliament for Assin Central.
In a statement issued on March 18, 2025, Anas hailed the verdict as a significant victory for truth and justice, emphasizing that falsehood and character assassination have no place in society.
“I stand before you today with a profound sense of vindication and determination. Yesterday, in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, an eight-member jury delivered a unanimous verdict finding Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation and awarding damages of 18 million U.S. dollars,” Anas stated.
The case stemmed from statements Agyapong made following the airing of the BBC documentary on corruption, ‘Betraying the Game,’ on October 28, 2018. The jury’s unanimous decision underscored that Agyapong acted maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against Anas.
Ghana vs. U.S. Legal Systems: A Stark Contrast
Anas highlighted the contrasting outcomes of his legal battles in Ghana and the U.S., criticizing Ghana’s judicial system for failing to uphold justice in a similar case.
“Regrettably, the situation in Ghana was starkly different. In 2018, when I pursued a similar lawsuit there, justice eluded me. Despite Mr. Agyapong’s own admission of lacking evidence to support his 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.”
Anas referenced Supreme Court Justice Kulendi’s condemnation of the Ghanaian ruling, describing it as a “violent abuse of judicial authority”, reinforcing concerns about systemic flaws in Ghana’s legal framework.
A Fair Trial in the U.S.
Unlike in Ghana, Anas expressed confidence in the fairness and accountability of the New Jersey court proceedings, which were presided over by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham.
“In contrast, the proceedings in New Jersey demonstrated fairness and accountability. Mr. Agyapong, along with his brother Ralph Agyapong, took the stand, presenting audiovisual evidence under the title ‘Who Watches the Watchman’ and citing the Ghanaian judgment in his defense. Despite these efforts, my legal team, led by Andrew Deheer, Esq., secured an 8-0 verdict on every count.”
Anas emphasized that the ruling serves as a powerful warning to politicians, reinforcing the role of the media in holding leaders accountable.
“Today’s outcome proves that truth prevails and that accountability must extend to everyone, regardless of their position or influence. Ghanaian politicians must recognize that they cannot take the media for granted. Any attempt to undermine journalism will be met with resolute resistance.”
Background: Anas’ Legal Battle in Ghana
In January 2023, an Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Eric Baah, dismissed Anas’ defamation suit against Kennedy Agyapong. While the court acknowledged that Agyapong’s statements were potentially defamatory, it ruled that Anas failed to prove his case.
The journalist had initially sought GH¢25 million in aggravated damages after Agyapong published materials attempting to discredit him following his corruption exposés.
On May 29, 2018, during a live program on Adom TV, Agyapong publicly accused Anas of being a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist, and evil. Anas responded with a lawsuit, but the Ghanaian court ultimately ruled in Agyapong’s favor.
The U.S. court ruling, however, marks a significant legal victory for Anas, reinforcing the global importance of press freedom and journalistic integrity.
