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| Kennedy Agyapong and Lawyers in court |
In a landmark ruling for press freedom and accountability, Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has won a resounding $18 million defamation lawsuit against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong. The unanimous verdict, delivered by an eight-member jury in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey on March 17, 2025, marks a significant triumph for Anas, whose relentless pursuit of justice has spanned continents and spotlighted systemic judicial challenges in Ghana.
The case, which has gripped both Ghanaian and international audiences, stems from a series of inflammatory statements made by Agyapong following the release of Anas’ explosive 2018 BBC documentary, Betraying the Game. The documentary exposed deep-seated corruption in African football, prompting Agyapong, a outspoken former MP for Assin Central, to launch a vitriolic campaign against the journalist. During a September 2021 interview on The Daddy Fred Show, a popular online program hosted by Frederick Asamoah, Agyapong labeled Anas a “criminal,” a “thief,” and even accused him of orchestrating the 2019 assassination of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale—a claim Anas has vehemently denied.
Anas, renowned for his undercover exposés on corruption and human rights abuses, argued that Agyapong’s statements were not only baseless but inflicted severe damage to his reputation and endangered his life. The jury agreed, awarding him $18 million in damages after finding that Agyapong acted with “clear and convincing evidence of malice”—a high legal threshold in U.S. defamation law. Presided over by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, the trial saw Agyapong and his brother Ralph take the stand, presenting audiovisual evidence titled Who Watches the Watchman, a counter-documentary previously used in Ghana to discredit Anas. Yet, the jury’s 8-0 decision rejected Agyapong’s defense outright.
“This decision is not merely a legal triumph—it is a resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society,” Anas said in a statement on March 18. “It reinforces our commitment to building a robust democracy that serves all ordinary Ghanaians.” He hailed the ruling as a victory for journalists worldwide, emphasizing its broader implications: “Today’s outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: you cannot take the media for granted. The press plays an indispensable role in scrutinizing power and holding leaders accountable.”
A Tale of Two Courts: Ghana vs. the U.S.
The U.S. victory stands in stark contrast to Anas’ earlier legal battle in Ghana, where he sought GH¢25 million (approximately $4 million USD at the time) in damages from Agyapong in 2018 for similar defamatory remarks. That case, adjudicated by Justice Eric Baah at the Accra High Court, ended in a stunning dismissal on March 15, 2023. Baah ruled that Anas failed to prove defamation, going further to brand the journalist’s methods as “investigative terrorism” rather than legitimate journalism. The judge accused Anas of blackmail and extortion, echoing Agyapong’s narrative, and ordered him to pay GH¢50,000 in costs.
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Anas decried the Ghanaian ruling as a “travesty of justice,” a sentiment later bolstered by Supreme Court Justice Kulendi, who, in a 2024 appeal decision (dismissed 3-2), condemned Baah’s judgment as a “violent abuse of judicial authority.” Reflecting on the disparity, Anas remarked, “Despite Mr. Agyapong’s own admission of lacking evidence to support his calumnious claims, justice eluded me in Ghana. Such outcomes are a stark reminder of the systemic flaws within our judicial system—flaws that demand urgent reform.”
The Ghanaian case had drawn widespread criticism from press freedom advocates, who argued it exemplified the challenges journalists face in holding powerful figures accountable. The U.S. ruling, by contrast, has been hailed as a beacon of hope, with Anas crediting his legal team, led by Andrew Deheer, Esq., for their meticulous preparation.
A U.S. jury has unanimously ruled in favor of Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, awarding him $18 million in a defamation lawsuit against Kennedy Agyapong. The court determined that Agyapong acted with malice by spreading false and unfounded claims. pic.twitter.com/6SaEkxoHOM
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 18, 2025
A Longstanding Feud
The enmity between Anas and Agyapong dates back to 2018, when Anas’ Number 12 investigation implicated high-profile figures in Ghanaian football, leading to the resignation of Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi. Agyapong, a vocal critic of Anas’ undercover tactics, responded with a barrage of accusations, airing Who Watches the Watchman on his media outlets, Net2 TV and Oman FM, and even calling for public retribution against Anas’ team. Tragically, Ahmed Suale, a key member of Anas’ Tiger Eye PI investigative unit, was gunned down in Accra in January 2019—an unsolved murder many link to the heightened tensions Agyapong fueled.
Agyapong’s rhetoric has long been polarizing. A successful businessman and former NPP presidential hopeful, he has cultivated a reputation for fiery oratory and unapologetic stances. His supporters laud his tenacity, while critics decry his penchant for inflammatory attacks. Following the U.S. verdict, Agyapong has reportedly requested a remittitur—a reduction of the damages—though his legal team has yet to comment publicly.
VIDEO: Anas shown in court with Kennedy Agyapong. The judge confirms the jury's 18 MILLION DOLLARS damages against the Kennedy Agyapong and breaks down the amount. pic.twitter.com/qtLdQ64JNa
— Manasseh Azure Awuni (@Manasseh_Azure) March 18, 2025
Global Implications
The $18 million award, one of the largest defamation payouts in recent memory, underscores the gravity of Agyapong’s actions and sets a precedent for protecting journalists from baseless smear campaigns. Media watchdogs, including the Media Foundation for West Africa, have praised the ruling as “a victory against impunity,” particularly in a region where journalists often face retaliation with little recourse.
For Anas, whose anonymity—symbolized by his beaded mask—has been both a shield and a lightning rod, the case marks a rare public unveiling. Photos circulating online show him unmasked in the New Jersey courtroom, a symbolic shedding of secrecy to confront his accuser head-on. “The fight against corruption continues unabated,” he vowed, with punitive damages still pending determination.
As Ghana approaches its December 2024 elections, the ruling reverberates as a cautionary tale for politicians and a rallying cry for the press. For Anas, it’s a vindication of his life’s work—and a reminder that truth, however embattled, can prevail.
