Investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has expressed his intention to appeal the High Court‘s decision in a defamation case he lost against Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central.
Anas stated that he was disappointed in the judgment, which was in relation to comments made by Mr Agyapong following Anas' Number 12 investigation into football and related corruption in 2018.
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Justice Eric Baah, the presiding judge, described Anas' investigative style as terrorism and ruled that Mr Agyapong was justified in using the descriptions Anas was seeking relief for.
However, Anas stated that he plans to appeal the judgment on the grounds that Mr Agyapong's allegations that he was a murderer were not proven in court. He argued that the judge had made a criminal pronouncement about him, which was unjustified as he was not standing trial for any criminal offence.
In a statement, Anas said, “My team of lawyers and I have carefully studied the judgment delivered by the court, and we are unanimous that the judge made an overreach and descended into the area and made criminal pronouncement about me as if I was standing a criminal trial.
He also justified the MP accusing me of the murder of the late JB Danquah, the murder of 20 Chinese nationals and a host of other crimes. We are filing an appeal because there was no evidence provided.”
In a lengthy ruling, Justice Baah held that Anas failed to prove that Mr Agyapong defamed him by airing the documentary “Who watches the watchman” and that Mr Agyapong provided sufficient evidence to prove that Anas used the findings of his work to solicit money from persons implicated in the evidence gathered by him.
Anas, however, described the ruling as a travesty of justice and stated that it won't stop him from his anti-graft campaign. He added that the judgment is inimical to the administration of justice and fairness and that he remains committed to fighting corruption in Ghana.
“It is the evidence in my work and the commitment to truth and justice that has always led me and prevailed against all the forces that have worked to pull us down. My team and I remain unwavering, despite the attacks and threats on our lives. We remain guided by the principles of fairness, integrity and courage as we continue our investigation in the public interest. I strongly believe in the rule of law. The fight continues. Nothing will stop us from fighting corruption for mother Ghana,” Anas said.
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