An Essex County jury has awarded investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas $18 million in a defamation suit against Kennedy Agyapong, former Member of Parliament for Assin Central.
Responding to the ruling in a statement on March 18, 2025, Anas described his victory as a “resounding affirmation 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, a former member of the Ghanaian Parliament, liable for defamation and awarding damages of 18 million U.S. dollars. These damages arise from statements he made following the airing of the BBC documentary on corruption, ‘Betraying the Game,’ on October 28, 2018.
“This decision is not merely a legal triumph; it is a resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society. It reinforces our commitment to building a robust democracy that serves all ordinary Ghanaians.
“This victory is especially significant for me because proving defamation in the United States is an exceptionally high hurdle, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malice. That the jury ruled unanimously in my favour underscores that Mr. Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against me,” part of the statement said.
According to him, the legal system in Ghana raises questions because he pursued a similar case to demand justice but ended up being referred to as a criminal.
“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 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.
“This ruling was later condemned by Supreme Court Justice Kulendi, who described it as a ‘violent abuse of judicial authority.’ Such outcomes are a stark reminder of the systemic flaws within our Ghanaian judicial system, flaws that demand urgent reform.
“In contrast, the proceedings in New Jersey demonstrated fairness and accountability. Presided over by the Honorable Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, the case saw Mr. Agyapong take the stand alongside his brother, Ralph Agyapong.
“As he had in Ghana, he introduced audiovisual evidence under the title ‘Who Watches the Watchman’ and even cited the Ghanaian judgment in his defense. 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. “
The statement further added, “This outcome proves that the truth prevails and that accountability must extend to everyone, regardless of their position or influence.
“Today’s outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: you cannot take the media for granted. 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.”
It will be recalled that in January 2023, an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Eric Baah dismissed Anas’ defamation suit against Kennedy Agyapong.
The court ruled that although the words spoken against Anas were factual and capable of being defamatory, he could not prove his case.
Anas had prayed the High Court to award aggravated damages to the tune of GH¢25 million, arising from defamatory materials published by the MP.
The MP had published materials in an attempt to discredit the investigative journalist, who had released a report on corruption.
Unhappy with the MP’s actions, Anas, through his lawyer, sued Kennedy Agyapong for general damages for defamation based on the defendant’s publications.
On May 29, 2018, during a live programme in Twi on Adom TV, Kennedy Agyapong categorically stated that Anas was a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist, and evil.
