New Jersey, USA – March 18, 2025 – Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has secured a landmark legal victory in the United States, winning an $18 million defamation lawsuit against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong.
The verdict, delivered by an eight-member jury at the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, found Agyapong liable for malicious falsehoods he spread following the release of the BBC documentary Betraying the Game on October 28, 2018. The exposé uncovered widespread corruption in African football and triggered a series of attacks from Agyapong, who sought to discredit Anas.
U.S. Jury Rules in Favor of Anas
In his statement after the ruling, Anas described the verdict as a “resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society.” He noted that the jury unanimously agreed that Agyapong acted with malice, a legal standard requiring clear and convincing evidence in U.S. defamation cases.
“This victory is not merely about me; it is a testament to the importance of press freedom and the need to protect journalists from targeted smear campaigns,” Anas stated.
A Contrast Between U.S. and Ghanaian Justice Systems
Anas compared his legal battle in the U.S. to a previous lawsuit he filed in Ghana in 2018 against Agyapong for similar defamatory remarks. In that case, Justice Eric Baah of the Accra High Court ruled against Anas, a decision later criticized by Ghanaian Supreme Court Judge Justice Yoni Kulendi, who described it as “a violent abuse of judicial authority.”
“In Ghana, despite Agyapong having no credible evidence to support his claims, I was unfairly branded a criminal by the court,” Anas said. However, the U.S. trial, presided over by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, ensured that both parties had a fair hearing. Despite Agyapong’s attempts to introduce evidence from his controversial documentary Who Watches the Watchman and reference the Ghanaian court ruling, the jury ruled 8-0 in Anas’ favor on all counts.
A Strong Message to Politicians Who Undermine Journalism
Anas emphasized that the ruling sends a powerful message to politicians who seek to silence journalists through false allegations and intimidation.
“This outcome proves that the truth prevails and that accountability must extend to everyone, regardless of their position or influence,” he stated.
He urged Ghanaian authorities to take press freedom more seriously, calling for reforms to protect journalists from targeted defamation and judicial manipulation.
Awaiting Final Decision on Punitive Damages
Anas expressed gratitude to his legal team—led by Andrew Deheer, Esq., and including Arthur Wemegah, Esq., Evans Selasi Adika, Esq., and Odei Krow, Esq.—for their dedication to the case.
“As we await the final determination on punitive damages, let this serve as a rallying call for all who believe in a just and transparent society,” he said.
Impact on Press Freedom and Anti-Corruption Efforts
This ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications, reinforcing the importance of journalistic freedom and accountability in Ghana and beyond. Anas reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption, declaring:
“The fight against corruption continues unabated. We will persist in rooting out graft and holding accountable the bad actors in our society.”
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