Ken Agyapong
By Bright Philip Donkor
Former Assin Central Member of Parliament and 2024 NPP flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, is celebrating what he has described as a ‘significant legal victory’, after a U.S. court drastically reduced an $18 million defamation award against him to a symbolic $500.
In a statement released by his media team, shortly after the ruling, Mr Agyapong expressed gratitude to his legal team, supporters and all Ghanaians who had stood by him throughout the legal battle.
“This is a significant legal victory—not just for me personally, but for truth, justice, and bold leadership. I thank all patriotic Ghanaians at home and abroad who supported me with prayers, encouragement, and moral strength,” he stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to defending integrity and accountability in public life, stating that he would not relent in his efforts to expose wrongdoing, and protect the public interest.
“I remain resolute in my service to the people of Ghana. I will never retreat in the pursuit of truth, no matter the cost,” he stressed.
The ruling
The Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County Division, on Monday, May 12, 2025, granted a motion filed by Mr. Agyapong’s legal team, Connell Foley LLP and Breslin & Breslin, P.A., to reduce the jury verdict awarded to investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, following a defamation lawsuit.
In the court’s ruling signed by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, the judge found sufficient legal basis to “mold” the jury’s decision, citing the presented arguments and legal standards relevant to the case.
“ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion is hereby GRANTED; and ORDERED that the total jury award of $18,000,000.00 is hereby MOLDED TO $500,” the official court document read in part.
Legal turnaround
The decision, which represents a reduction of over 99.9% from the original sum, has generated waves across both Ghana and the United States, where the high-profile case has been closely watched. Docketed as ESX-L-002918-22, the suit stemmed from Agyapong’s public criticism of Anas, including the release of a controversial documentary titled “Who Watches the Watchman”, which sought to cast doubt on the journalist’s ethical conduct.
In March 2025, a jury had found Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation and awarded Anas $18 million in damages. The verdict was celebrated by Anas’s supporters as a victory for press freedom and personal integrity.
Clarity
Meanwhile, Kwasi Kwarteng, a private legal practitioner and spokesperson for Ken Agyapong, has clarified that the $500 defamation award against his boss was not a reduction of a previously finalized $18 million judgment, contrary to widespread reports.
In an interview on Citi FM, Mr Kwarteng explained that the $500 award was the result of a legal motion filed by Mr Agyapong’s legal team and not a slashing of a formal judgment already issued by the court.
“The $500 award that we are witnessing today is not a plus or a reduction of any $18 million judgment. There was no $18 million judgment even to begin with, so what we are seeing is not a slash or a reduction of any prior judgment,” he clarified.
“The $500 award that we are seeing resulted from a motion that was filed by Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s lawyer to move the jury award. So, yes, first of all, there was a jury award, but it was not adopted by the court yet, so it cannot be construed as a judgment of the court.
“But kindly, they filed the motion to move the judgment. For simple terms, you may call it a review. This is not a reduction of an earlier judgment,” Kwarteng emphasised.
Anas’ response
Reacting to the development, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas downplayed the monetary implications of the ruling, stating that the legal battle was never about the money.
“This fight has not been about the money. It has been, and continues to be, about truth and justice,” Anas noted in a press release.
He pointed out that despite the judge’s decision to reduce the award, the court had not overturned the jury’s finding that he had been defamed by Mr. Agyapong.
“I am content that not a single allegation made against me was proven in court, despite Mr. Agyapong being given a full opportunity to substantiate them,” he said.
Anas also emphasised that the verdict had reinforced his resolve to continue his anti-corruption mission.
“I will continue in my relentless fight against corruption—and in doing that, continue to name, shame, and jail,” he added.
The judge’s decision to grant a motion for remittitur—a legal procedure that allows a court to reduce a jury’s excessive damages award—is seen as a significant turn in the case.
Meanwhile, court records also show that the motion was “OPPOSED” by Anas’s legal team, indicating that they resisted the reduction.
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