Hon. Kennedy Agyapong and Anas Aremeyaw Anas are trending in $18 million defamation in US Court ruling that saw the latter emerging victorious
VIDEO: Kennedy Agyapong and Anas Aremeyaw Anas $18 Million US Court Ruling
In a video from Ghana Trends Media Anas Aremeyaw Anas emerged victorious in a defamation lawsuit against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong, with a U.S. court in New Jersey awarding Anas $18 million in damages.
Background to Kennedy Agyapong and Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Case
The ruling, announced on March 18, 2025, stems from defamatory statements Agyapong made against Anas, accusing him of corruption and blackmail, particularly following Anas’s high-profile exposés on corruption in Ghana.
The Essex County Superior Court determined that Agyapong’s remarks were made with malice, solidifying the significant financial penalty after Agyapong’s appeal for a reduction was rejected.
The case marks a stark contrast to a 2023 ruling in Ghana, where Anas faced defeat in a similar defamation suit against Agyapong at the Accra High Court. That earlier decision, presided over by Justice Eric Baah, controversially dismissed Anas’s claims, arguing that Agyapong’s statements were factual and that Anas failed to substantiate his case.
This disparity in judicial outcomes between the U.S. and Ghana has sparked renewed debate about the integrity and consistency of Ghana’s legal system, with critics pointing to systemic flaws in handling defamation cases involving journalists.
Anas, renowned for his anonymity and undercover investigative journalism, has long been a polarizing figure in Ghana, celebrated for exposing corruption but also targeted by powerful figures like Agyapong.
His work, including documentaries on judicial bribery and football corruption, has earned him international recognition, but also made him a target for criticism and legal challenges.
The U.S. court’s ruling is seen as a major victory for press freedom, including Anas himself who made a video expressing joy and gratitude for his legal team.
