Reduction of my defamation penalty from $18 million to $500 is legal vindication — Kennedy Agyapong

Former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has described the reduction of a defamation penalty against him—from $18 million to $500—as a legal vindication in his long-standing case with investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The former legislator and one-time NPP flagbearer aspirant said the outcome affirms his belief in justice and fairness.

In a statement dated May 13 and signed by his Personal Assistant, Prince Adjei, Mr. Agyapong reaffirmed his commitment to “upholding the values of integrity, bold leadership, and dedicated service to the Ghanaian people,” adding that he would not relent in his quest to defend truth and accountability in public life.

The statement follows a successful motion for remittitur filed by Mr. Agyapong at the Essex County Superior Court, asking the judge to reduce the $18 million in damages awarded against him in March 2025.

As part of the motion, Mr. Agyapong reportedly admitted to having maliciously defamed Anas.

The defamation case stemmed from comments he made during an interview on the Daddy Fred Show, hosted by Ghanaian-American Frederick Asamoah, which aired on September 7, 2021.

During the interview, the former MP described Anas as a “criminal” and a “thief” and went further to link him to the murder of fellow investigative journalist Ahmed Suale and the deaths of some Chinese nationals in Ghana.

Anas maintained that these unsubstantiated allegations severely damaged his reputation and endangered his life due to the nature of his undercover work.

In a separate statement dated May 11 and posted on social media, Anas welcomed the appeal ruling, stressing that the most important outcome was the court’s decision to uphold the substance of the defamation judgment.