The $18 million in damages resulted from a unanimous verdict handed down by an eight-person jury at the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, determining that Mr. Agyapong was responsible for defaming Mr. Anas.
A U.S. court has ordered compensation of $18 million (£14 million) for Ghanaian investigative reporter Anas Aremeyaw Anas, following a verdict that found him wronged by ex-Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong through defamation.
The case originated from remarks Mr Agyapong made regarding Mr Anas afterwards. His BBC probe in 2018 that unveiled corruption within football institutions in Ghana and other places.
The BBC Thursday reported the court was informed that Mr Agyapong referred to the journalist as a "criminal" and also made various other allegations against them during a podcast discussion.
A member of Parliament likewise claimed on the podcast that Mr. Anas had orchestrated the killing of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale.
Previously, Mr. Anas had lost a comparable legal case in Ghana about seven years prior. Following the debut of the podcast segment in 2021, he proceeded to file a lawsuit against Mr. Agyapong in New Jersey, a U.S. state where Mr. Agyapong owns property.
According to legal documents submitted by his attorneys, the politician was in New Jersey during the time he was interviewed for the Daddy Fred Show podcast.
The ruling from last week was upheld on Tuesday. The $18 million awarded in damages stemmed from a unified judgment made by an eight-person jury at the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, determining that Mr. Agyapong was responsible for defamation.
The amount comprised $8 million in punitive damages.
"justice has triumphed. this win isn’t merely mine; it’s for the truth, press freedom, and all journalists who put everything on the line to uncover corruption and misconduct," mr anas responded.
Neither threats nor lies can quiet our demand for responsibility, not even in the shadow of murder. We remain steadfast and courageous as we continue our efforts.
The reporter, renowned internationally for her accolades in journalism, has pledged to keep up the battle against corruption and ensure those at fault are held responsible.
Mr. Agyapong's legal team had previously failed to convince authorities that the lawsuit shouldn't be heard in the United States from the start. Additionally, they contended that the remarks made during the podcast were similar to expressions that different tribunals had classified as exaggerations and personal opinions, thus not warranting a defamation claim.
In the meantime, authorities in Ghana apprehended an individual suspected of involvement in the killing of Mr. Anas' associate, Ahmed Hussein Suale, who was murdered in 2019.
The alleged perpetrator reportedly posted images of the concealed reporter online for a well-known Ghanaian political figure prior to their demise.
Ahmed's passing was also connected to a football corruption revelation.
The inquiry aimed at uncovering corruption within African football and was covered by BBC Africa Eye.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
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