Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has been awarded US$18 million in a defamation lawsuit against former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
Anas’ legal victory was secured at a verdict delivered by a jury in Essex County, New Jersey, in the United States.
The May 17, 2022, lawsuit filed in the Essex County Superior Court, accused Kennedy Agyapong and media personality Frederick Asamoah of making defamatory statements against Anas during an episode of The Daddy Fred Show, an online programme popular among Ghanaian audiences in the United States.
During the programme, the former lawmaker is alleged to have made false claims and damaging remarks about the journalist including labeling Anas as a criminal, a thief, and accused him of being behind the killing of investigative journalist, Ahmed Suale.
Mr. Suale was a key member of Anas’ investigative team, TigerEye PI, and was assassinated in 2019 by a gang of men on a motorbike following the release of Number 12, a documentary that exposed corruption in Ghanaian football.
Among the allegations highlighted in the court’s documents include;
- Falsely claiming that Anas had been convicted of crimes in Ghana.
- Accusing Anas of orchestrating Ahmed Suale’s murder.
- Asserting that Anas was responsible for the deaths of multiple Chinese nationals in Ghana.
- Labeling Anas as a thief.
Prior to the victory in the U.S., Anas had earlier pursued a defamation case against the ex-legislator in Ghana which hit a snag in 2018.
In that suit, the investigative journalist was seeking GH¢25 million in damages, citing defamatory materials published by Mr. Agyapong. However, the Accra High Court ruled against Anas on March 15, 2023, stating that his investigative methods resembled “investigative terrorism” rather than legitimate journalism.
The presiding judge in the Ghanaian suit, Justice Eric Baah, had held claims by Ken Agyapong that Anas was an extortionist and a blackmailer. The Supreme Court of Ghana later reinforced this ruling in 2024 with a narrow 3-2 decision.
Undeterred by the unfavorable rulings in Ghana, Anas sought justice at the international level. His persistence paid off when the Essex County jury ruled in his favor, awarding him $18 million in damages, marking a decisive victory for the journalist in his long-running battle for reputation and justice.
Meanwhile, the jury’s ruling is yet to be approved or otherwise by the presiding judge.
