US Court Awards Anas Aremeyaw Anas $18M in Defamation Case

In a landmark ruling, a US court has awarded investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas a whopping $18 million in damages in a defamation lawsuit against former Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong.

The lawsuit stemmed from a September 7, 2021, interview on The Daddy Fred Show, where Agyapong labeled Anas a “criminal” and a “thief.” He also alleged that Anas was responsible for the murder of fellow investigative journalist Ahmed Suale and the deaths of multiple Chinese nationals in Ghana.

Anas, renowned for his undercover journalism exposing corruption, argued that these statements severely damaged his reputation and put his life in danger. The US court sided with Anas, ruling that Agyapong’s statements were defamatory.

This ruling comes after Ghana’s Supreme Court dismissed an earlier defamation case Anas filed against Agyapong.

Agyapong had claimed that his statements were made in the heat of a political dispute and were not meant to be taken literally ¹.

Anas’s victory is a significant win for journalists and advocates of free speech, highlighting the importance of holding public figures accountable for their words.

Background on Anas Aremeyaw Anas

Anas is a Ghanaian journalist known for his investigative work, particularly in exposing corruption. His notable works include “Ghana in the Eyes of God” and “Number 12,” which led to the removal of corrupt judges and the dismantling of the Ghana Football Association, respectively .

This defamation case is a testament to Anas’s commitment to seeking justice and protecting his reputation.