Following his decisive legal victory in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has issued a strong warning to politicians and the media. The ruling found former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation and awarded Anas $18 million in damages.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Anas emphasized that the verdict sends a clear message to Ghanaian politicians and media figures that reckless attacks on journalists will not go unpunished. He described the ruling as more than just a personal triumph, but rather a significant moment for press freedom and accountability.
“I stand before you today with a profound sense of vindication and determination,” Anas wrote. “Yesterday, in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, an eight-member jury delivered a unanimous verdict finding Kennedy Agyapong—former member of the Ghanaian Parliament—liable for defamation and awarding damages of 18 million U.S. dollars. These damages arise from statements he made following the airing of the BBC documentary on corruption, Betraying the Game, on October 28, 2018.”
Anas underscored that the ruling reaffirms the principles of democracy and justice. “This decision is not merely a legal triumph—it is a resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society. It reinforces our commitment to building a robust democracy that serves all ordinary Ghanaians.”
Anas highlighted the stark difference between the legal proceedings in the United States and Ghana. He pointed out that U.S. defamation laws set a high standard, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malice, and yet, the jury unanimously ruled in his favor. “That the jury ruled unanimously in my favor underscores that Mr. Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against me.”
However, Anas lamented that justice in Ghana has not been as forthcoming. “In 2018, when I pursued a similar lawsuit there, justice eluded me. Despite Mr. Agyapong’s own admission of lacking evidence to support his calumnious claims, Justice Eric Baah of the Accra High Court not only denied me justice but also unjustly portrayed me—the civil plaintiff—as a criminal. This ruling was later condemned by Supreme Court Justice Kulendi, who described it as a ‘violent abuse of judicial authority.’”
The Ghanaian Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s ruling in 2024 with a narrow 3-2 decision, leaving Anas with no recourse in his home country. He stressed that these outcomes expose systemic flaws in Ghana’s judicial system that demand urgent reform.
Anas used his victory to issue a broader warning to those who attempt to undermine journalists. “Today’s outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: you cannot take the media for granted. The press is indispensable in scrutinizing power and holding leaders accountable, and any attempt to undermine this essential function will be met with resolute resistance.”
Expressing gratitude to his legal team—Andrew Deheer, Esq., Arthur Wemegah, Esq., Evans Selasi Adika, Esq., and Odei Krow, Esq.—Anas also thanked his supporters for standing by him in his pursuit of justice.
The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for the protection of investigative journalism and press freedom in Ghana and beyond. As Anas continues his fight for transparency, his case serves as a warning that defamation and misinformation will not go unchallenged.
