A United States court has drastically reduced the $18 million defamation damages previously awarded against Ghanaian politician and former Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, to just $500.
The Superior Court of New Jersey had initially awarded the amount to investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas following a lawsuit stemming from allegedly defamatory remarks made by Agyapong and social media commentator Frederick Asamoah during a 2021 interview circulated online.
In a statement issued by Anas’ media outfit, Tiger Eye PI, on Monday, May 12, it was confirmed that although the jury’s verdict finding Agyapong guilty of defamation still stands, the trial judge granted a motion for remittitur—a legal reduction of damages—bringing the financial penalty down to $500.
The journalist emphasized that the ruling still affirms Agyapong’s liability for malicious defamation.
“As Ghanaians may recall, an American jury found Kennedy Agyapong guilty of maliciously defaming my character. An amount of $18 million was awarded in my favour,” the statement read.
“Kennedy Agyapong filed a motion for remittitur… Inherent in his motion, he admitted to having maliciously defamed me.”
According to the statement, the judge determined that the original jury award was excessive and therefore lowered the amount without overturning the defamation verdict.
Anas expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stressing that the case was not about money but about vindicating his reputation and upholding truth and justice.
“I am happy that not a single allegation was proven against me in court when Kennedy Agyapong was given full opportunity to substantiate,” he added.
He reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption and pledged to continue his mission to “name, shame, and jail” those who undermine the public interest.
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