Ghanaian Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas Awarded $18 Million for Defamation Case

Ghanaian journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas was awarded $18 million by a U.S. court after being defamed by former MP Kennedy Agyapong. The case stemmed from comments made by Agyapong, alleging criminality and connections to a murder. Anas, who previously lost a lawsuit in Ghana, is committed to continuing his fight against corruption.

In a landmark decision, a U.S. court awarded Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas $18 million (£14 million) in damages after the jury found that former Ghanaian Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, had defamed him. This case arose from comments made by Agyapong following Anas’ investigative work in 2018 that uncovered football corruption in Ghana and beyond.

The court heard Agyapong refer to Anas as a “criminal” and assert that he was responsible for the murder of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale during a podcast. Despite Anas losing a similar case in Ghana seven years earlier, he pursued legal action in the U.S. state of New Jersey, where Agyapong owned property.

Agyapong was located in New Jersey while being interviewed for the Daddy Fred Show podcast, as noted in court documents. The jury delivered their unanimous verdict last Tuesday, with the damages including $8 million in punitive measures against Agyapong for his defamatory statements.

In response, Anas declared, “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 affirmed his commitment to continuing the fight against corruption, undeterred by threats.

Anas, a recipient of multiple international journalism awards, noted that no intimidation could silence the pursuit of accountability in journalism. Agyapong’s legal team argued that the case should not have been tried in the U.S. and claimed Agyapong’s comments were hyperbolic opinions not subject to defamation.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian police have apprehended a suspect linked to the murder of Ahmed Hussein Suale, who was killed in 2019. The suspect allegedly shared pictures of the undercover journalist with a prominent Ghanaian politician prior to his death, which is also related to the investigation into football corruption reported by BBC Africa Eye.

The significant ruling in Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s defamation case against Kennedy Agyapong marks a pivotal moment for press freedom and accountability in journalism. The court’s award of $18 million reinforces the necessity of protecting journalists who bravely expose corruption. Anas’s determination to continue fighting corruption remains steadfast, demonstrating the vital role of investigative journalism in holding individuals accountable.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com