New Jersey, USA – Investigative journalist AnasAremeyaw Anas has secured a landmark legal victory against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong, as a jury in the Essex County Superior Court awarded him $18 million in damages for defamation.
The decision, delivered by an eight-member jury in New Jersey, found Agyapong liable for malicious falsehoods he spread following the airing of the BBC documentary Betraying the Game on October 28, 2018. The documentary exposed deep-seated corruption in African football, triggering widespread controversy and, ultimately, a public attack on Anas by Agyapong.
In his statement after the verdict, Anas described the outcome as a “resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society.” He highlighted the significance of the case, noting that proving defamation in the United States requires clear and convincing evidence of malice — a high legal standard that the jury unanimously agreed was met.
“This victory is not merely about me; it is a testament to the importance of press freedom and the need to protect journalists from targeted smear campaigns,” Anas stated.
A Stark Contrast Between US and Ghanaian Justice
Anas drew a sharp comparison between the US trial and his previous attempt to seek justice in Ghana. In 2018, after Agyapong made similar defamatory statements, Anas sued him in a Ghanaian court. However, Justice Eric Baah of the Accra High Court ruled against him in what Supreme Courtjudge Justice Yoni Kulende described as “a violent abuse of judicial authority.”
“In Ghana, despite Agyapong not leading no credible evidence to support his claims, I was unfairly branded a criminal by the court,” Anas recalled. He noted that Supreme Court Justice Kulendi later criticized the Ghanaian ruling, further underscoring concerns about the country’s judicial system.
However, in New Jersey, the process was markedly different. Presiding over the case, Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham ensured a fair trial where Agyapong and his brother, Ralph Agyapong, had the opportunity to present their defense. Agyapongattempted to use audiovisual materials from his controversial documentary Who Watches the Watchman and referenced the Ghanaian judgment. But the jury remained unconvinced, delivering an 8-0 verdict in Anas’ favor on all counts.
A Warning to Politicians Who Undermine Journalism
Anas emphasized that the verdict sends a strong message to politicians who seek to undermine the media.
“This outcome proves that the truth prevails and that accountability must extend to everyone, regardless of their position or influence,” he said.
He called on Ghanaian authorities to take press freedom seriously, urging reforms to prevent journalists from being targeted through false allegations and judicial intimidation.
Looking Ahead: Potential Punitive Damages
Anas expressed gratitude to his legal team—led by Andrew Deheer, Esq., and including Arthur Wemegah, Esq., Evans Selasi Adika, Esq., and Odei Krow, Esq.—for their diligence and commitment to the case.
“As we await the final determination on punitive damages, let this milestone serve as a rallying call for all who believe in a just and transparent society,” he urged.
Anas reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption, vowing that this victory would only strengthen his resolve.
“The fight against corruption continues unabated. We will persist in rooting out graft and holding accountable the bad actors in our society,” he declared.
This landmark ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications, not just for Anas, but for the broader landscape of press freedom and accountability in Ghana and beyond.
Stay tuned
