A United States Court has notably decreased the $18 million defamation award granted to Ghanaian politician and former Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, to only $500.
The Superior Court of New Jersey granted investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas $18 million in compensation in a defamation case against the ex-MP and a social media commentator named Frederick Asamoah.
The ruling followed an extended legal conflict arising from purportedly defamatory remarks made by the defendants in a 2021 interview aired on social media.
A press release published on Monday, May 12, by Anas’ Tigereyepi indicated that although the jury’s verdict remains, the trial judge has now approved a remittitur motion—a legal plea to lower damages—and consequently lowered the awarded sum to $500.
The plaintiff argues that the court’s decision maintains the determination of defamation, though with a much reduced monetary penalty.
“As Ghanaians may recall, a couple of weeks ago, an American jury found Kennedy Agyapong guilty of maliciously defaming my character. Consequent to the finding by the jury, an amount of $18 million was awarded in my favour,” the statement read.
“Kennedy Agyapong filed a motion for remittitur… inherent in his motion, Kennedy Agyapong admitted to having maliciously defamed me.”
The judge’s decision to reduce the award, according to the plaintiff, was based not on a reversal of the defamation finding, but rather on a view that the original sum awarded by the jury was “excessive.”
The plaintiff expressed satisfaction with the ruling’s affirmation of the defamatory nature of Mr Agyapong’s actions, emphasising that the case was never about financial compensation but about the pursuit of truth and justice.
“Many avenues of redemption accrue to me. But it is important to state, as I previously did, that this fight has not been about the money, but rather a fight for truth and justice.”
The individual also noted that none of the allegations made by Mr Agyapong were proven in court, despite the opportunity to do so.
“I am happy that not a single allegation was proven against me in court when Kennedy Agyapong was given full opportunity to substantiate.”
The plaintiff reaffirmed a commitment to the ongoing fight against corruption, pledging to continue to “name, shame, and jail” those who undermine public trust.
NKONKONSA.com
