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Legislators

Defamation Case Against Kennedy Agyapong Takes a Shocking Turn

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Kennedy Agyapong, a former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has reacted with jubilation after a US court reduced a defamation award against him from $18 million to $500. The court held that while Agyapong indeed defamed investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, the original amount awarded was excessive. Anas, through his investigative outfit Tiger Eye PI, has welcomed the revised judgment, emphasizing that it reaffirmed the central issue of the case: that Agyapong maliciously defamed him. The case originated in 2019 after Anas sued Agyapong in the US over defamatory remarks made following the release of the Number 12 documentary.

Key Takeaways:

  • A US court reduced a defamation award against Kennedy Agyapong from $18 million to $500, citing the original amount as excessive.
  • The court upheld the jury's finding of malicious defamation, but reduced the financial penalty to $500.
  • Kennedy Agyapong paid the $500 penalty himself, handing it over to his wife to settle the payment in the US.
  • Agyapong joked that the amount was affordable to almost all his team members and suggested giving Anas $5,000 instead.
  • Anas welcomed the revised judgment, emphasizing that it reaffirmed the central issue of the case: that Agyapong maliciously defamed him.
  • The case originated in 2019 after Anas sued Agyapong in the US over defamatory remarks made following the release of the Number 12 documentary.
  • A US jury ruled in favour of Anas and awarded $18 million in damages in April 2025, but Agyapong's legal team filed a motion for remittitur, contending that the amount was excessive.
  • Anas emphasized that the fight was not about money, but rather a fight for truth and justice, highlighting the central issue of the case.

Statistics:

  • $18 million: The original amount awarded by the jury in favour of Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
  • $500: The reduced amount awarded to Anas after Kennedy Agyapong's legal team filed a motion for remittitur.
  • 2019: The year Anas sued Kennedy Agyapong in the US over defamatory remarks made following the release of the Number 12 documentary.

Sources:

  • Ghana Web: "Kennedy Agyapong reacts to US court's $500 defamation judgment against him" (May 13, 2025)
  • Tiger Eye PI: "Statement on the US court's revised judgment in the defamation case against Kennedy Agyapong" (May 11, 2025)

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