Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has secured a legal victory against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong, after a jury in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey found Agyapong liable for defamation. The court awarded Anas $18 million in damages.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Anas described the ruling as more than just a personal victory, calling it a decisive message to Ghanaian politicians that the media cannot be taken for granted.

“This decision is not merely a legal triumph—it is a resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society,” he wrote. He emphasised that the verdict reinforced a commitment to building a robust democracy that serves all Ghanaians.

Reflecting on the legal battle, Anas noted the stark difference between the judicial systems of the United States and Ghana.

He explained that proving defamation in the U.S. requires clear and convincing evidence of malice, making the jury’s unanimous ruling in his favour even more significant. “That the jury ruled unanimously in my favour underscores that Mr Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against me,” he stated.

However, he lamented that justice had eluded him in Ghana when he pursued a similar lawsuit in 2018. He recalled that despite Agyapong’s own admission of lacking evidence, the Accra High Court dismissed his case. 

The ruling by Justice Eric Baah not only denied him justice but also portrayed him as a criminal. He cited Supreme Court Justice Kulendi’s later condemnation of the ruling as a “violent abuse of judicial authority,” calling it a stark reminder of systemic flaws within Ghana’s judicial system that demand urgent reform.

Anas further used the ruling to caution politicians against attempting to undermine the press. “Today’s outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: you cannot take the media for granted,” he warned. He stressed the importance of press freedom and accountability, highlighting the role of journalists in scrutinising power and holding leaders responsible.

Expressing gratitude to his legal team—Andrew Deheer, Esq., Arthur Wemegah, Esq., Evans Selasi Adika, Esq., and Odei Krow, Esq.—as well as supporters who stood by him in his pursuit of justice, Anas reaffirmed his commitment to fearless journalism. The verdict, he asserted, was not just about him, but about upholding truth and ensuring that justice prevails over misinformation.