Anas Aremeyaw vs Kennedy Agyapong: US Court reduces $18M defamation award to $500

Tiger Eye PI led by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has revealed that the US$18 million damage awarded against Kennedy Agyapong, a former Member of Parliament for Assin Central in the defamation lawsuit filed in the United States of America (USA) has been reduced to $500.

As per a press release dated May 11, 2025, Tiger Eye PI pointed out that after the initial the US$18 million award by the Jury at the Essex County Superior Court, and Kennedy Agyapong’s after filling a motion to reduce damages, asking the judge to reduce the amount awarded against him Ken, the court has reduced the award.

The statement from Tiger Eye PI reveal that “Today, the trial judge granted Kennedy Agyapong’s motion for remittitur and reduced the initial award (US$18 million)to $500. This means that, while the judge held that Kennedy Agyapong had defamed me (Anas), in his reasoning, the award against Kennedy Agyapong by the jury was excessive.”

Again, the statement added that  “Thus, inherent in his motion, Kennedy Agyapong admitted to having maliciously defamed me (Anas)”

Anas Aremeyaw Anas in March 2025 obtained a favorable ruling against Kennedy Agyapong, after the jury delivered its decision in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey found Agyapong found guilty of defamation.

The court awarded Anas a multi-million dollar agreement to resolve defamation claims. Initially, Anas responded by describing the ruling as a victory that has a broader impact, calling it a decisive message to Ghanaian politicians that the media’s role is crucial and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Mr Kennedy Agyapong requested a reduction in damages relating to the amount awarded against him. As a result, application amount has reduced from the US$18million to $US500.

 See below for the Tiger Eye statement

11 May 2025 | PRESS RELEASE

OUR VICTORY IS IN THE JUDGEMENT AND NOT THE AWARD

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 $18M was awarded in my favour against Kennedy Agyapong.

Following the award, Kennedy Agyapong filed a motion for remittitur, asking the judge to reduce the amount awarded against him. Thus, inherent in his motion, Kennedy Agyapong admitted to having maliciously defamed me.

Today, the trial judge granted Kennedy Agyapong’s motion for remittitur and reduced the initial award to $500. This means that, while the judge held that Kennedy Agyapong had defamed me, in his reasoning, the award against Kennedy Agyapong by the jury was excessive.

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.

I am happy that not a single allegation was proven against me in court when Kennedy Agyapong was given full opportunity to substantiate. I will continue in my relentless fight against corruption – and in doing that, continue to name, shame, and jail

Signed

Tiger Eye PI

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