Anas Aremeyaw and Kennedy Agyapong
A Superior Court in Essex County, New Jersey, on May 12, 2025, reduced a defamation award against former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, from $18 million to $500, following a legal request by his lawyers.
The court’s decision came after the trial judge acknowledged that while Kennedy Agyapong had indeed defamed investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, the original amount awarded by the jury was deemed excessive.
Although the financial penalty was significantly reduced, the court upheld the jury’s finding of malicious defamation.
“THIS MATTER having been brought before the Court upon application by Connell Foley LLP and Breslin & Breslin, P.A., attorneys for Defendant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong (“Defendant”), for an Order molding the jury award; and the Court having considered the matter, the submissions of counsel, and the arguments of counsel, if any, and for good cause showing; IT IS on this 12 day of MAY 2025; ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion is hereby GRANTED; and MOLDED TO $500.
“ORDERED that the total jury award of $18,000,000.00 is hereby reduced to $500,” part of the court papers said.
Meanwhile, in a statement released on Sunday, May 11, 2025, Anas, through his investigative outfit Tiger Eye PI, welcomed the revised judgment, emphasising that it reaffirmed the central issue of the case: that Agyapong maliciously defamed him.
“Following the award, Kennedy Agyapong filed a motion for remittitur… Thus, inherent in his motion, Kennedy Agyapong admitted to having maliciously defamed me,” it stated.
Anas added that the case was not about money but about setting the records straight.
“This fight has not been about the money, but rather, a fight for truth and justice,” he added.
The case originated in 2019 after Anas sued Ken Agyapong in the US over defamatory remarks the MP made following the release of the Number 12 documentary.
The investigative piece produced by Tiger Eye PI exposed rooted corruption within Ghana’s football sector, leading to the resignation of the then Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Kennedy Agyapong launched a sustained public campaign to discredit Anas, accusing him of fraud and unethical journalism. The accusations formed the basis of the defamation lawsuit.
In April 2025, a US jury ruled in favour of Anas and awarded $18 million in damages.
However, Kennedy Agyapong’s legal team later filed a motion for remittitur, contending that the amount was excessive.
The trial judge agreed, leading to the reduction.
Read the full ruling below:
AM/KA
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