US court slashes Anas’ $18m defamation award against Ken Agyapong to $500

A U.S. federal judge has reduced Anas Aremeyaw Anas's defamation award from $18 million to just $500.

The reduction followed a motion for remittitur filed by Kennedy Agyapong’s legal team. They argued that the original award was too high, prompting the court to reconsider.

The judge upheld the jury's finding that Agyapong had defamed Anas. However, he described the monetary compensation as “excessive.”

Anas commented on the decision, stating it was not about money but justice and truth. He emphasized that their victory lies in the judgment, not the award.

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

In his defamation suit, Anas was initially awarded $18 million by a New Jersey Superior Court. This ruling came after a legal battle over statements made by Agyapong during a 2021 interview.

Anas filed his lawsuit on May 17, 2022, accusing Agyapong and Frederick Asamoah of making false claims on “The Daddy Fred Show.”

During the show, Agyapong accused Anas of being a criminal and linked him to the murder of journalist Ahmed Suale. Suale was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting near his home in Accra.

It is believed that Suale's death was connected to his investigative work with Anas's team, Tiger Eye PI. The court documents highlighted several false allegations made by Agyapong against Anas.

These included claims that Anas had been convicted of crimes and orchestrated Suale’s murder. Agyapong also accused him of being responsible for multiple deaths of Chinese nationals in Ghana.

In March 2023, an Accra High Court dismissed another defamation suit against Agyapong brought by Anas for GH¢25 million. The judge stated that Anas failed to prove defamation related to the documentary “Who Watches the Watchman.”

The court concluded that what Anas did was not investigative journalism but "investigative terrorism." It found Agyapong justified in calling Anas names like "blackmailer" and "corrupt."