An eight-member jury at the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey unanimously decided in favor of investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, awarding him $18 million in damages against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong.
The lawsuit was based on statements made by Agyapong during an episode of “The Daddy Fred Show,” an online program that was well-liked by Ghanaians in the United States.
Ken Agyapong accused Anas of being a thief and a criminal, and linked him to the murder of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale, a crucial member of Anas’ investigative team who was assassinated in 2019 after the release of the documentary “Number 12,” which revealed corruption in Ghanaian football.
Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham presided over the trial, which included testimony from Kennedy Agyapong and his brother, Ralph Agyapong. Agyapong used audiovisual materials titled “Who Watches the Watchman” and cited a prior Ghanaian court decision that had ruled in his favor as part of his defense, but the jury found clear and convincing evidence of malice in Agyapong’s statements, which resulted in a unanimous verdict on all counts.
Anas hailed the decision as a significant victory for justice and press freedom, saying it reaffirms the commitment to building a strong democracy that serves all regular Ghanaians. He also stressed that the ruling sends a strong message to politicians that the media cannot be taken for granted and that any attempt to undermine its vital role will be met with resolute resistance.
The verdict highlights the serious consequences of defamation and reinforces the protection of individual reputations, particularly in the context of global media. It also highlights the risks and challenges faced by investigative journalists in their pursuit of accountability and transparency. This U.S. ruling contrasts with Anas’ prior legal experience in Ghana, where a defamation case against Agyapong was dismissed in 2023, with the court criticizing Anas’ investigative style. Anas drew attention to this disparity and called for immediate reforms within Ghana’s judicial system to address systemic flaws.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
