The defamation saga between investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and former MP for Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong continues to grip national attention as lawyers from both camps shared sharply contrasting perspectives on the recent U.S. court ruling, which slashed an $18 million jury award in Anas’ favour to a symbolic $500.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (13 May), Kennedy Agyapong’s lawyer, Eric Okyere Darko, argued that Anas had no legal basis for the multi-million dollar claim.
According to Darko, the jury’s initial award was never formalised into a judgement due to clear errors in the record.
“There was no judgement entered on March 18th,” Darko explained. “Under New Jersey law, if you don’t prove actual damage, you don’t qualify for punitive damages. Anas failed to do this.”
He added that Anas’ claim was flawed from the outset. “Anas could not demonstrate that the alleged defamatory statements by my client caused him any quantifiable harm,” he said. “The law is clear — no actual damages, no punitive damages.”
In contrast, Evans Selassie Adika, a lawyer for Anas, rejected these assertions, noting that the legal team would examine the trial transcripts to determine whether an appeal of the reduced damages was warranted.
“We respect the court’s decision, but we believe the jury’s verdict was supported by evidence,” Adika said. “The reduction in damages may be based on the judge’s interpretation of evidentiary weight, but we’ll evaluate that.”
Addressing criticisms that the case was driven by monetary interest, Adika insisted, “Our fight is about truth and justice. The damages were meant as deterrents—not for personal enrichment.”
While Darko hailed the ruling as a victory for Kennedy Agyapong and a vindication of his stance, Adika countered that Anas remains unshaken in his pursuit of accountability and that defamatory conduct should not be minimised simply because of a reduced monetary award.
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