Ghana’s judicial system has been thrown into international scrutiny after renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas secured a resounding legal victory in a U.S. court, despite losing the same defamation case in Ghana years ago.
A jury in New Jersey ruled 8-0 in favor of Anas, awarding him victory in a case against Kennedy Agyapong, the former Member of Parliament for Assin Central. Agyapong, a vocal critic of Anas, had publicly accused him of corruption, claiming the journalist used his investigative work to extort money and amass personal wealth.
However, while the U.S. court upheld Anas’ credibility, the Ghanaian Supreme Court, led by Justice Eric Baah, ruled against him in 2018, siding with Agyapong’s allegations that Anas was not a genuine anti-corruption crusader. This stark contrast in verdicts has sparked renewed debate over the credibility and independence of Ghana’s judiciary.
A Case of Two Rulings, Two Realities
In Ghana, the Supreme Court dismissed Anas’ lawsuit, ruling that Kennedy Agyapong’s statements were justified, and even described Anas’ method of undercover journalism as “unethical”. That ruling left the journalist without legal redress in his home country, allowing Agyapong to continue his public attacks on Anas and his Tiger Eye PI investigative team.
However, in New Jersey, the jury unanimously found that Agyapong’s claims were false and defamatory, delivering a total legal and moral victory for Anas. The verdict has exposed the deep inconsistencies in judicial decisions between Ghana and the United States, raising serious concerns about political interference in Ghana’s legal system.
The Shadow of Ahmed Suale’s Murder
The case is further complicated by the fact that Kennedy Agyapong was the same person who publicly revealed the identity of Tiger Eye PI investigator Ahmed Suale, who was later gunned down in Accra on January 16, 2019.
Suale’s assassination, which remains unsolved, was widely linked to his investigative work, including his involvement in Anas’ groundbreaking exposé on corruption within Ghana football. Agyapong had previously urged people to attack Suale, claiming the journalist was dangerous—comments that many believe contributed to his killing.
A Judicial System in Question
With Anas securing justice abroad but denied the same in Ghana, many Ghanaians and international observers are questioning the credibility of the country’s judiciary. Critics argue that the ruling in Ghana was politically motivated, given Agyapong’s close ties to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the time.
“This is an embarrassment to Ghana’s judiciary,” said a legal analyst in Accra, speaking on condition of anonymity. “How is it that a U.S. jury, after reviewing the same facts, found Kennedy Agyapong guilty of defamation, while our own Supreme Court protected him?”
The ruling in New Jersey has reignited calls for judicial reforms in Ghana, with many believing that Anas’ loss in Ghana was a reflection of systemic corruption within the country’s legal system.
For now, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has been vindicated on the international stage, but the verdict leaves serious questions about whether justice can truly be found in Ghana for those who challenge the powerful.
