Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a well-known investigative journalist from Ghana, has been awarded $18 million in damages by a US court after a jury found that former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong defamed him. The verdict, delivered by an eight-member jury in Essex County Superior Court, New Jersey, marked a significant legal victory for the journalist, who has long been at the forefront of exposing corruption in Africa.
The defamation case stemmed from comments made by Agyapong in a 2021 episode of the Daddy Fred Show podcast, where he accused Anas of being a “criminal” and even implied he was linked to the murder of fellow journalist Ahmed Hussein Suale. These allegations followed Anas’ explosive 2018 investigative report, which uncovered widespread corruption in African football and led to significant reforms.
Agyapong’s lawyers attempted to argue that the lawsuit should not have been filed in the US, emphasizing that their client was expressing opinions rather than making legally defamatory statements. However, the jury unanimously ruled against him, awarding $8 million in punitive damages alongside the overall $18 million settlement.
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Reacting to the ruling, Anas expressed that the decision was more than just a personal win—it was a triumph for journalism and accountability.
“Justice has prevailed. This victory is not just for me, but for truth, press freedom, and every journalist who risks everything to expose corruption and wrongdoing,” he stated.
Anas, known for his unique undercover reporting methods and commitment to exposing corruption, reiterated that he remains undeterred despite attempts to silence him.
This legal victory in the US stands in contrast to an earlier legal defeat in Ghana, where Anas had previously sued Agyapong for defamation but lost the case. However, the US lawsuit gained traction partly because Agyapong was in New Jersey at the time of the podcast interview, making it a valid jurisdiction for legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Ghanaian authorities have recently arrested a suspect in connection with the 2019 murder of Ahmed Suale. The suspect is accused of circulating images of the investigative journalist before his death, allegedly in collaboration with a well-known politician. Suale’s assassination was widely believed to be linked to Anas’ football corruption exposé, which had far-reaching consequences.
Anas’ case highlights ongoing concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in Ghana and beyond. His success in the US court sets a precedent for journalists who face threats and defamation for their investigative work. It also signals that even powerful political figures can be held accountable for spreading falsehoods.
For Anas, this victory is a reminder that truth and accountability remain powerful forces, no matter the opposition. His work, he insists, will continue—undaunted and unafraid.
