Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has issued a formal statement on the March 15 ruling, in which he won a defamation suit brought against him by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Kennedy Agyapong via a statement posted on his official Twitter handle, said the ruling was a win for “straight talk” over “investigative terrorism” – the latter being a term the trial judge used, in his judgment.
“Today straight talk has won over ‘investigative terrorism’ as evidenced in the judgement of a suit brought against Hon. Kennedy Agyapong (Defendant) by Anas Aremeyaw Anas (Plaintiff), where the plaintiff sought charges against the defendant for defamation. In the case that has been followed keenly by Ghanaians both home and abroad, the judge opined in his ruling that Anas Aremeyaw Anas, the plaintiff is a “blackmailer, extortionist and corrupt.”
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
He also went on to say that the ‘plaintiffs style is not investigative journalism but investigative terrorism.
The court Presided by Justice Eric Baah, despite finding various claims made by the defendant against the plaintiff as potentially defamatory, ruled that the comments were factual and fair.
The court subsequently dismissed the suit and awarded the defendant a sum of 50,000 Ghana Cedis, to cover his legal costs. The Member of Parliament, has subsequently referred to the ruling as a victory over investigative terrorism.
Whiles, the journalist also expressed grave misgivings about the ruling, describing it in part as a travesty of justice, his statement however, stopped short of confirming whether he will appeal the ruling.
This judgement has vindicated many, like Hon. Kennedy Agyapong who for a very long time through his straight talking and direct style, have questioned the motive of Anas and his rather unethical style of ‘entrapment’ – something frowned upon by ‘real journalists’.
Hon. Kennedy Agyapong reacting to the verdict again stated, “our nation needs to move on from this style of journalism, and pull him down syndrome and rather focus on building strong institutions that will help instill accountability, discipline and purpose of duty in the attainment of personal and national goals.
“Today’s ruling has shown that we must not be shy in challenging those who seek to destroy others for self-serving purposes, while upholding the moral fabric of our nation.”
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
Anas Aremeyaw Anas And Tiger Eye P.I Reacts To Court Ruling
Investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, described as travesty of justice, the decision by the Accra High Court that he was not defamed by Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, in a GHS25 million law suit.
Reacting to the ruling, Anas in a statement said if for nothing at all, Mr. Agyepong accused him of murder but there was nothing contained in the said documentary, which alludes to the commision of murder.
“The court established that Mr. Agyapong indeed defamed Anas but in a bizarre twist concluded that the so-called documentary ‘Who Watches the Watchman’ was an absolute justification, thereby absolving Mr. Agyapong of any liability. This case traveled through the hands of three judges with Justice Baah being the latest assigned to the case, at the express instance of Kennedy Agyapong.
“Throughout the trial, Mr. Agyapong displayed absolute disdain and disrespect of the Court and the lawyers of Anas but all attempts to cite him for contempt hit a dead end. We note that Mr. Agyapong attended court in the company of Mr. Kwasi Nyantakyi, who has been banned for fifteen (15) years from all football related activities. Tiger Eye P.I and our CEO, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, remain resolute in our fight against corruption in the Ghanaian society in service to God and country.”
Tiger Eye P.I
READ ALSO: Court Throws Out Anas’ GHC25m Defamation Suit Against Ken Agyapong
