Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
Kennedy Agyapong, a former member of parliament and politician from Ghana, was given $18 million in defamation damages, but a U.S. court has drastically lowered the amount to just $500.
In a defamation case against the former MP and a social media commentator named Frederick Asamoah, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas was awarded $18 million in damages by the Superior Court of New Jersey.
The ruling followed a protracted legal struggle over the defendants’ alleged defamatory remarks made in a 2021 social media interview broadcast.
Anas’ Tigereyepi said in a news release on Monday, May 12, that although the jury’s decision remained in effect, the trial judge had approved a petition for remittitur, which is a legal request to lower damages, and as a result, the awarded amount was lowered to $500.
The plaintiff argues that, notwithstanding the much smaller monetary fine, the court’s decision maintains the defamation determination.
A few weeks ago, an American jury found Kennedy Agyapong guilty of wilfully defaming my reputation, as Ghanaians may remember. A sum of $18 million was granted to me as a result of the jury’s verdict,” the statement said.
Kennedy Agyapong submitted a remittance motion. Kennedy Agyapong acknowledged that he had deliberately defamed me in his motion.
The plaintiff claims that the judge’s decision to lower the award was motivated by the judge’s belief that the initial amount given by the jury was “excessive,” not by a reversal of the defamation finding.
The plaintiff was pleased with the decision’s confirmation of Mr. Agyapong’s activities’ defamatory nature, highlighting the fact that the goal of the case was always to seek justice and the truth rather than monetary damages.
“I have a lot of opportunities for redemption. However, it is crucial to emphasise, as I have done before, that our battle has been for justice and truth rather than money.
The person also pointed out that, despite the chance, none of Mr. Agyapong’s accusations were validated in court.
“I am pleased that after Kennedy Agyapong had a full chance to provide evidence, not a single accusation was proven against me in court.”
By promising to keep “naming, shaming, and imprisoning” those who betray public confidence, the lawsuit reiterated their dedication to the continuous battle against corruption.
