Anas vs. Ken Agyapong: Ghana is just the next bus stop before hell — Oliver Barker -Vormawor

Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has secured a legal victory in the United States, winning an $18 million defamation lawsuit against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.

The ruling, delivered by a jury in Essex County, New Jersey, found Agyapong liable for defamatory statements made against Anas during an episode of 'The Daddy Fred Show', a popular online program among Ghanaians in the U.S. The lawsuit, filed on May 17, 2022, also named media personality Frederick Asamoah as a defendant.

During the show, Agyapong allegedly made several damaging and false claims, including branding Anas a criminal, a thief, and implicating him in the 2019 murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.

Suale, a key member of Anas’ investigative team, was assassinated following the release of #Number 12, a documentary exposing corruption in Ghanaian football.

Court documents added that Agyapong falsely asserted that Anas had been convicted of crimes in Ghana and was responsible for the deaths of multiple Chinese nationals in Ghana.

This legal triumph in the U.S. contrasts with Anas' previous legal battle in Ghana. In 2018, Anas pursued a defamation case against Agyapong, seeking GH¢25 million in damages.

However, the Accra High Court dismissed his claims on March 15, 2023, with Justice Eric Baah describing Anas’ investigative methods as resembling "investigative terrorism" rather than legitimate journalism.

The Supreme Court of Ghana later upheld this ruling in 2024 with a narrow 3-2 decision.

Despite these setbacks in Ghana, Anas persisted in his quest for justice on the international stage. His determination was rewarded when the Essex County jury ruled unanimously in his favor, awarding him $18 million in damages.

Reacting to the outcome on social media, legal practitioner and Fix The Country Movement convener Oliver Barker-Vormawor criticized Ghana’s judicial system.

He highlighted the vast difference between Ghanaian and American rulings on the matter, noting that while Ghanaian courts dismissed Anas’ case and even condemned his methods, an American jury found Anas' work worthy.

Barker-Vormawor expressed frustration with the justice delivery system in Ghana, particularly in awarding minimal damages for wrongful death cases.

He wrote on X, “When @AnasAremeyaw sued Kennedy Agyapong in Ghana Court for Defamation, the Judge put Anas instead on trial and insulted him left, right, centre.

“Anas sued Kennedy Agyapong in America also for defamation. An American Jury just awarded Anas 18 million dollars.

“Ghana courts even award 40,000 cedis for loss of life. Wallahi, this country is just the next bus stop before Hell. But the people themselves are just… You issokay.”