Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas Wins $18 Million Defamation Case Against Kennedy Agyapong in U.S. Court

U.S. Court Orders Kennedy Agyapong to Pay $18 Million to Anas Aremeyaw Anas in Landmark Defamation Case.

In a significant legal victory, Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has been awarded $18 million in damages by the Superior Court of New Jersey in a defamation lawsuit against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, and social media commentator Frederick Asamoah.

The dispute originated in 2018 following the release of Anas’s explosive investigative documentary, #Number12, which exposed deep-seated corruption within Ghana’s football sector. In response, Kennedy Agyapong launched a counter-documentary, Who Watches the Watchman, accusing Anas of engaging in blackmail and corrupt practices.

Feeling defamed by these accusations, Anas pursued legal action against Agyapong both in Ghana and the United States. However, in March 2023, a Ghanaian High Court dismissed Anas’s GH¢25 million defamation lawsuit, ruling that Agyapong’s claims were justified and revealed questionable dealings by Anas and his associates.

In contrast to the Ghanaian ruling, the Superior Court of New Jersey ruled in favor of Anas, stating that Agyapong and Asamoah’s allegations were defamatory and lacked credible evidence. The court awarded Anas $18 million in damages, reinforcing the gravity of the false claims made against him.

The case highlights the complexities of international defamation lawsuits, especially when legal interpretations vary across jurisdictions. The ruling in the U.S. underscores a strong stance on protecting journalistic integrity and discouraging defamatory attacks against journalists.

Reacting to the verdict, Anas expressed his satisfaction, stating that the decision upholds the principles of truth and justice in investigative journalism. He emphasized that the ruling serves as a deterrent to attempts aimed at tarnishing the reputations of journalists committed to exposing corruption.

Kennedy Agyapong has yet to publicly respond to the U.S. court’s decision. Legal analysts suggest that enforcing the judgment in Ghana may be challenging due to the differing legal outcomes in the two countries.

The stark contrast between the rulings in Ghana and the United States underscores the differences in legal interpretations of defamation. While the Ghanaian court sided with Agyapong, the U.S. court’s decision reaffirms Anas’s credibility as an investigative journalist. This verdict sends a strong message about the global fight for journalistic integrity and the legal protections available against defamation