|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has achieved a major legal victory in the United States, winning an $18 million defamation lawsuit against Kennedy Agyapong, a former Ghanaian Member of Parliament for Assin Central.
A jury in Essex County, New Jersey, delivered the verdict, siding with Anas in his claims against Agyapong and media personality Frederick Asamoah. The lawsuit, which was filed on May 17, 2022, in the Essex County Superior Court, alleged that defamatory remarks were made against Anas during an episode of *The Daddy Fred Show*, an online program popular among Ghanaian audiences in the U.S.
During the show, Agyapong reportedly made serious and false accusations against Anas, including branding him a criminal, a thief, and alleging that he was responsible for the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.
Suale, a key member of Anas’ investigative team, was assassinated in 2019 after the release of *Number 12*, a documentary that exposed corruption in Ghanaian football. The lawsuit cited several specific defamatory claims made by Agyapong, including:
– Falsely alleging that Anas had been convicted of crimes in Ghana.
– Accusing Anas of orchestrating Ahmed Suale’s murder.
– Claiming that Anas was responsible for the deaths of multiple Chinese nationals in Ghana.
– Labeling Anas as a thief.
This victory in the U.S. follows an earlier legal setback for Anas in Ghana, where he pursued a defamation case against Agyapong in 2018. Seeking GH¢25 million in damages for defamatory statements, Anas was met with an unfavorable ruling from the Accra High Court on March 15, 2023.
Justice Eric Baah, who presided over the Ghanaian case, dismissed Anas’ claims and described his investigative methods as “investigative terrorism” rather than genuine journalism. The Supreme Court of Ghana later upheld this decision in 2024 with a narrow 3-2 ruling, further reinforcing the judgment against Anas.
Despite these setbacks, Anas remained determined to clear his name and sought legal redress in the United States. His persistence was rewarded when the Essex County jury ruled in his favor, awarding him $18 million in damages. This marks a significant victory for the journalist in his ongoing battle to protect his reputation and seek justice.
Email Daily Mail GH: stories@dailymailgh.com or
Whatsapp: +233(0)509928122
