Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has achieved a significant legal victory in the United States, winning an $18 million defamation lawsuit against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
The verdict, delivered by a jury in Essex County, New Jersey, brings a new chapter to the long-standing legal battle between the two figures over damaging claims made by Agyapong during an episode of The Daddy Fred Show in 2022.
The lawsuit, filed on May 17, 2022, in the Essex County Superior Court, accused Kennedy Agyapong and media personality Frederick Asamoah of making defamatory statements that tarnished Anas' reputation. Among the numerous allegations made, Agyapong accused Anas of being a criminal and a thief and went as far as claiming that Anas was responsible for the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale. Suale, who was a key member of Anas’ investigative team, was murdered in 2019 shortly after the release of Number 12, a documentary that exposed corruption within Ghanaian football. Additionally, Agyapong falsely alleged that Anas was involved in the deaths of Chinese nationals in Ghana and had been convicted of crimes in the country.
This U.S. legal triumph is particularly notable considering Anas’ previous legal setback in Ghana. In 2018, he filed a GH¢25 million defamation lawsuit against Kennedy Agyapong in the Accra High Court over similar allegations. However, the court ruled against Anas in March 2023, with Justice Eric Baah describing his investigative methods as “investigative terrorism” rather than genuine journalism. The Supreme Court of Ghana later upheld this ruling in 2024 with a narrow 3-2 decision, effectively dismissing Anas’ claims.
Despite the unfavorable rulings in Ghana, Anas continued his pursuit of justice internationally. His persistence was rewarded when the New Jersey jury ruled in his favor, awarding him $18 million in damages. This legal victory serves as a powerful comeback for Anas, restoring his reputation and demonstrating his determination to protect his name against defamatory accusations.
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