The case was not about money – Anas on $18m defamation award slashed to $500

Award-winning journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has responded to a recent court ruling. A U.S. federal judge reduced his $18 million defamation award against Kennedy Ohene Agyapong to just $500.

Anas stated that the case was about justice and truth, not money. The judge made this decision after Agyapong's legal team filed a motion for remittitur.

Reports indicate that Agyapong’s team contested the size of the award. The judge confirmed that Agyapong had defamed Anas but called the compensation “excessive.”

Anas commented on the ruling, saying, “Our victory is in the judgment and not the award.” He emphasized that this fight was for truth and justice, not financial gain.

He expressed satisfaction that no allegations against him were proven in court. He vowed to continue fighting corruption and holding wrongdoers accountable.

A New Jersey Superior Court initially awarded Anas $18 million in his defamation suit against Agyapong and Frederick Asamoah. This followed a legal battle over defamatory statements made by Agyapong during a 2021 interview.

Anas filed his lawsuit on May 17, 2022, accusing both men of making false claims on "The Daddy Fred Show." During this show, Agyapong accused Anas of being a criminal and linked him to the murder of journalist Ahmed Suale.

Suale was tragically shot near his home in Accra after Agyapong's comments. It is believed he was targeted due to his investigative work with Anas's Tiger Eye PI team.

Court documents revealed several false allegations made by Agyapong against Anas. These included claims of past convictions and accusations related to Suale’s murder.

Wofa Jerry, part of Agyapong’s team, stated they would not pay any amount from the judgment. He claimed that Anas breached procedural rules and suggested that Anas might owe more than $18 million in damages to Agyapong.