A renowned investigative journalist in Africa, who exposed the Kenyan referee scheduled to officiate some matches during the 2018 World Cup, has been awarded USD 18 million (Ksh 2.6 billion) by a U.S. court in a defamation suit involving a member of Parliament. In a video posted on his X platform, Anas Aremayaw Anas announced that an eight-member jury delivered a unanimous verdict, finding Kennedy Agyapong, a former member of the Ghanaian Parliament, liable for defamation and awarding damages of 18 million U.S. dollars.
“I stand before you today with a profound sense of vindication and determination. Yesterday, in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, the jury found Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation and awarded damages of 18 million U.S. dollars,” said Anas.
According to Anas, the award is a result of statements made by Agyapong following the airing of the BBC documentary on corruption titled “Betraying the Game,” which was released on October 28, 2018.
Anas described the court’s decision as not just a legal victory, but also a strong statement that falsehoods and character assassination have no place in society.
Anas Awarded USD 18 Milion by US Court
He emphasized the significance of this decision, noting that winning a case in the United States is notably challenging.
“This victory is especially significant for me because proving defamation in the United States requires clear and convincing evidence of malice, which is a very high standard. That the jury ruled unanimously in my favour underscores that Mr. Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against me,” Anas explained.
AnaS is a renowned Ghanaian investigative journalist born in the late 1970s. He is famous for his undercover work and anonymity, often covering his face with a beaded mask and using disguises to expose corruption and human rights abuses in Ghana and throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
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Anas’s investigative journalism has led to significant reforms, including the removal of corrupt judges and officials in Ghana.
He serves as the CEO of Tiger Eye Private Investigations and has been recognized globally for his impactful work.
He has received several notable awards, including:
- National Youth Achievement GOLD Award (Ghana), 2012
- KCK Award for Excellence in Print Journalism (Ghana), 2011
- Every Human Has Rights Award (France), 2008
- Awards for Best Investigative Journalism (Ghana), 2005, 2006, 2007
- Africa Achievers Award (Kenya), 2013
Ghanian Journalist Exposes Corruption in Africa’s Football
Anas gained international attention in 2018 when he released an exposé just months before the World Cup.
In the BBC documentary “Betraying the Game,” he revealed instances where referees were bribed to officiate matches in a manner favourable to those who paid them.
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Among those exposed was a Kenyan referee, Aden Marwa, who was caught on camera accepting a bribe of $600 from an undercover journalist posing as an official from a Ghanaian premiership team.
Marwa was relieved of his FIFA World Cup linesman responsibilities as a result of the revelations.
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