Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has secured a major legal victory in the United States after an eight-member jury in the Essex County Superior Court, New Jersey, found former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation.
The unanimous verdict awarded Anas $18 million in damages over defamatory statements made by Agyapong following the airing of the BBC documentary Betraying the Game on October 28, 2018.
Speaking after the ruling, Anas described the verdict as not just a personal victory but a broader affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in public discourse.
“This decision reinforces our commitment to building a robust democracy that serves all ordinary Ghanaians,” he stated.
The case was closely watched, given the high legal standard required to prove defamation in the U.S., particularly the necessity of demonstrating malice with clear and convincing evidence. The jury’s 8-0 ruling underscored that Agyapong acted recklessly and maliciously in his attacks against Anas.
Anas also contrasted the outcome with a similar lawsuit he pursued in Ghana in 2018, where he was denied justice.
He criticized the ruling by Justice Eric Baah of the Accra High Court, who dismissed his case and instead portrayed him as a criminal.
That judgment was later condemned by Supreme Court Justice Kulendi, who called it a “violent abuse of judicial authority.”
In the New Jersey trial, which was presided over by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, Agyapong and his brother, Ralph Agyapong, defended themselves by presenting audiovisual evidence under the title Who Watches the Watchman and referencing the Ghanaian court ruling.
However, Anas’s legal team, led by Andrew Deheer, Esq., successfully countered their claims, securing a decisive victory on all counts.
Anas emphasized that the ruling should serve as a warning to politicians and public figures who undermine the role of the media in holding power accountable.
“The press plays an indispensable role in scrutinizing power, and any attempt to silence or discredit it will be met with strong resistance,” he asserted.
Expressing gratitude to his legal team comprising Andrew Deheer, Esq., Arthur Wemegah, Esq., Evans Selasi Adika, Esq., and Odei Krow, Esq., Anas reaffirmed his dedication to the fight against corruption.
As the case moves towards a final determination on punitive damages, he vowed to continue his work in exposing wrongdoing and advocating for justice.
