Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who won an $18 million (£14 million) defamation lawsuit against Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong, says that while he is hopeful he will receive the money, the real victory lies in the message his success sends.
Anas filed the lawsuit after Agyapong accused him of being a “criminal” following his investigation into football corruption in Ghana and beyond. Initially, Anas lost the case in Ghana but took it to the United States, where Agyapong owns property, and won.
“For me, the real impact isn’t the money—it’s the message that young journalists, no matter how powerful the people they investigate are, should never hesitate to hold the powerful accountable,” Anas told the BBC.
The case centered around accusations Agyapong made during a podcast, where he called Anas a “criminal” and claimed he was involved in the murder of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale. Anas, who continues to mourn Suale’s death, expressed his belief that while one suspect had been arrested, others involved in the killing remain at large.
“I often visit where Ahmed was killed, to spend some quiet time there and visit his grave. It brings me strength,” Anas said. “Ahmed once told me, ‘Boss, if anything happens to you, I will carry on your work.’ I never imagined it would be the other way around, where I am now the one targeted.”
Anas has been critical of Ghana’s legal system, alleging that many in the judiciary are “tilting the scale of justice in favor of the wrong side.”
After losing the case in Ghana, Anas decided to pursue legal action in New Jersey, where Agyapong was living at the time. In a unanimous ruling earlier this month, an eight-member jury in Essex County Superior Court found Agyapong liable for defamation and awarded Anas $18 million, including $8 million in punitive damages.
“I feel very happy; it’s a vindication of what I’ve always believed,” Anas said. “This case sends a powerful message to African journalists: we must be resilient and prepared to face the heat.”
Though Anas is confident that the damages will be paid, he notes that his legal team carefully assessed Agyapong’s assets, including property and businesses, before filing the case. While not fully certain, Anas trusts that his legal team has a plan in place.
“While our victory was in the U.S., this case serves as a wake-up call to the rich and powerful,” Anas said. “We, too, have the capacity to stand up to you. Our patience and honesty will ensure that our day will come.”
