Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has secured an $18 million defamation victory against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, USA.
An eight-member jury unanimously ruled in favor of Anas, finding Agyapong liable for defamation over statements he made following the airing of the BBC documentary on corruption, “Betraying the Game”, on October 28, 2018.
Anas, speaking after the verdict, described the ruling as a significant triumph for justice and press freedom.
“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,” he stated.
The case, presided over by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, saw Agyapong and his brother, Ralph Agyapong, testify in defense. Agyapong attempted to rely on audiovisual material titled “Who Watches the Watchman” and referenced a prior ruling in Ghana as part of his defense. However, Anas’s legal team, led by Andrew Deheer, Esq., successfully argued the case, securing an 8-0 jury verdict on all counts.
Anas highlighted the significance of winning a defamation case in the U.S., emphasizing the high legal threshold required to prove malice. “That the jury ruled unanimously in my favor underscores that Mr. Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against me,” he said.
Reflecting on his legal battles in Ghana, Anas criticized the country’s judicial handling of a similar defamation case he filed in 2018.
“Regrettably, the situation in Ghana was starkly different. 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,” Anas recounted.
He further noted that Supreme Court Justice Kulendi later condemned the ruling, describing it as a “violent abuse of judicial authority.”
Anas emphasized that the verdict serves as a warning to politicians who seek to undermine press freedom.
“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,” he declared.
He extended his appreciation to his legal team, supporters, and all those who stood by him in his pursuit of justice.
As the case moves toward a final determination on punitive damages, Anas reaffirmed 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 said.
