Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has secured a major legal victory against Ghanaian politician Kennedy Agyapong in the Essex County Superior Court, where an eight-member jury unanimously ruled in his favor in a defamation lawsuit. The court awarded Anas $18 million in damages, marking a significant moment in the fight for press freedom and accountability.
In a press release following the ruling, Anas described the verdict as a “resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society.” The case stemmed from statements made by Agyapong after the airing of the BBC documentary “Betraying the Game” on October 28, 2018, which exposed corruption in football.
Anas highlighted the difficulty of proving defamation in the U.S., where the law requires clear and convincing evidence of malice. He emphasized that the jury’s 8-0 verdict demonstrated that Agyapong acted “maliciously and recklessly” in his attacks against him.
However, he contrasted this outcome with his failed defamation lawsuit in Ghana in 2018. Despite Agyapong admitting that he had no evidence to support his claims, the Accra High Court dismissed Anas’s case. Justice Eric Baah not only denied him justice but also accused him of criminal activity. This ruling was later criticized by Ghanaian Supreme Court Justice Kulendi as a “violent abuse of judicial authority.”
The New Jersey trial, presided over by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, saw Agyapong and his brother, Ralph Agyapong, present their defense, including audiovisual material titled “Who Watches the Watchman” and references to the Ghanaian court ruling. Despite these efforts, Anas’s legal team, led by Andrew Deheer, Esq., successfully argued the case, leading to the jury’s decisive ruling.
Anas used the victory to send a strong message to Ghanaian politicians: “You cannot take the media for granted.” He stressed that journalists play a crucial role in holding leaders accountable and warned against attempts to undermine press freedom.
With the court still to decide on punitive damages, Anas reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption. “The fight continues,” he declared, urging Ghanaians to support the push for transparency and justice.
