US Court Slashes $18m Defamation Award for Ghanaian Journalist Anas to $500

A United States court has upheld a jury’s finding that Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas was maliciously defamed by former Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong, but significantly reduced the initial $18 million damages award to a symbolic $500.

The decision, delivered by a judge at the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, followed a motion by Agyapong’s legal team requesting a reduction in the damages. The judge agreed, ruling that the initial award was “excessive and legally unsustainable”.

Despite the reduced compensation, Anas and his media organisation, Tiger Eye P.I., emphasised that the case was never about financial gain but about truth, justice, and reputation.

Legal Victory Amid Symbolic Setback

“The real victory lies in the judgment,” Tiger Eye stated in a press release on 11 May. “Kennedy Agyapong, by seeking to reduce the damages, has effectively acknowledged the jury’s unanimous verdict that he maliciously defamed me.”

The jury had found in March that Agyapong defamed Anas by calling him a “criminal” and linking him to the 2019 murder of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale. The defamatory statements were made on a podcast recorded in the United States, where Agyapong owns property.

Cross-Continental Legal Battle

Anas originally filed a defamation case in Ghana, but the court dismissed it, with the presiding judge controversially describing his work as “investigative terrorism”. The journalist then filed suit in the US, where jurisdiction was established due to the location of the podcast recording and the defendant’s property.

Agyapong’s lawyers argued that his remarks were opinions, not factual claims. However, the eight-member jury rejected this defence and sided unanimously with Anas.

“This Fight Has Never Been About Money”

Anas, known for his distinctive beaded face coverings, reaffirmed his dedication to holding the powerful to account through undercover investigative journalism.

“This fight has never been about money but about truth and justice,” the Tiger Eye statement reiterated. “Not a single allegation was proven against me in court when Kennedy Agyapong was given full opportunity to substantiate them.”

Speaking after the jury ruling in March, Anas told the BBC: “This goes a long way to encourage African journalists across the continent… There’s a need for us to be resilient.”

Tragedy, Truth, and Tenacity

The court battle comes against the backdrop of the tragic murder of Ahmed Suale, Anas’s close associate and fellow anti-corruption journalist. Suale was shot dead in 2019 after his identity was revealed during one of Agyapong’s public broadcasts. The murder remains unsolved.

While the slashed award may appear symbolic, it is a judicial affirmation of Anas’s credibility and the baselessness of the allegations levelled against him. It also represents a warning shot against reckless public commentary that endangers lives and reputations.

A Broader Fight for Press Freedom

This ruling has broader implications for press freedom in Africa, where journalists face mounting threats. It highlights the importance of cross-border legal redress and underscores the role of courts—regardless of jurisdiction—in upholding justice for African voices speaking truth to power.

Anas has vowed to appeal the reduction and continue his fight against corruption.