Ghanaians blast corruption in their judiciary, as Nigerians do in their country where public officials now collect bribe in dollar
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Ghanaians have blasted the corruption in their country’s judiciary after a case dismissed in a local court found life in the United States where intrepid Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas won $18 million in a defamation suit against a former Member of Parliament (MP) in Ghana.
“Judicial system in Ghana is so corrupt it took this case to be sent to the US for fair hearing. Its a win for Anas and embarrassment and exposure of the weaknesses of our judiciary,” Myles Myles, a Ghanaian, wrote on social media.
“A disgrace to our judiciary hmmm meanwhile Nyantakyi is not guilty here in Ghana,” posted George Eyiah, another Ghanaian.
The comments are similar to those that Nigerians often express about the country’s judiciary where a court may take a decision one day and the same court can overturn it the following day. Even the Supreme Court at times ignores its own precedents.
And in Nigeria, allegations are common of lawmakers, Judges, and civil servants collecting bribe (in dollar).
The BBC reports that a New Jersy court awarded Anas $18 million in damages, after a jury said he was defamed by former Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong.
The case stems from comments Agyapong made about Anas after his BBC investigation in 2018 that exposed football corruption in Ghana and elsewhere.
The court heard that Agyapong, among other accusations made on a podcast, had called the reporter a “criminal” and alleged he was behind the murder of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale.
Anas lost a similar legal action in Ghana seven years ago. But after the release of the podcast episode in 2021 Anas went to court in the US state of New Jersey where Agyapong has a property.
The politician was in New Jersey when he was interviewed for the Daddy Fred Show podcast, according to court papers filed by his lawyers.
The $18 million in damages was the result of a unanimous decision by an eight-member jury in Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey, finding Agyapong liable for defamation.
The figure included $8 million in punitive damages.
“Justice has prevailed. This victory is not just for me, but for truth, press freedom, and every journalist who risks everything to expose corruption and wrongdoing,” Anas said in response.
“No amount of intimidation or falsehood will silence the pursuit of accountability even in the face of assassination. Our work continues, undeterred and unafraid.”
The journalist, who has won multiple international awards for his reporting, has vowed to continue fighting corruption and holding wrongdoers accountable.
Agyapong’s lawyers had unsuccessfully argued that the case should not have been brought in the US in the first place. They also said that the comments made on the podcast were the kinds of things other courts had described as hyperbole and opinion and were not subject to a defamation case.
Meanwhile, police in Ghana have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of Anas’ colleague, Ahmed Hussein Suale, who was killed in 2019.
The suspect allegedly shared pictures of the undercover journalist with a popular Ghanaian politician before his death.
The death of Ahmed was also linked to a football corruption exposé.
The investigation sought to expose corruption in African football and was reported by BBC Africa Eye.
“Truth prevails,” says Anas as he and other Ghanaians hail US court victory over Agyapong
3news.com reports that Anas expressed a deep sense of vindication after securing the significant legal victory in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey.
“This decision is not merely a legal triumph – it is a resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society,” Anas said.
In his view, the verdict strengthens the fight for democracy and accountability, ensuring that those in positions of power cannot recklessly attack journalists without consequences.
Anas highlighted the stark contrast between the justice he received in the US and his experience in Ghana.
In 2018, despite Agyapong’s own admission of lacking evidence for his claims, an Accra High Court ruling dismissed Anas’ case and instead vilified him.
The ruling was later condemned by Supreme Court Justice Kulendi, who described it as a “violent abuse of judicial authority.”
In the New Jersey case, Agyapong presented similar evidence to what he had used in Ghana, but this time, the jury unanimously rejected his claims, reaffirming that “truth prevails.”
Anas credited his legal team, led by Andrew Deheer, for their meticulous preparation that led to the 8-0 verdict.
“Today’s outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: you cannot take the media for granted,” he asserted, reiterating the essential role of press freedom and accountability in a functioning democracy.
“The fight against corruption continues unabated,” he declared.
Other Ghanaian have taken to social media to express their view as follows:
Safani
And in Ghana, judges demanding that he should unveil himself before they will look into his case. If a nation is full of corruption, this is what happens.
Annie Demanya
God of possibilities……he makes all things perfect in his own time.
Qwabena Wayosky
Look at how chairman is holding the bottle 
anyways, Anas, congratulations.
But wait ooo how come the same case they ruled against Anas in Ghana but Anas won it at the US. Ghana, hmmmmmm
Abubakari Alhassan
This is just the beginning! As a powerful man in Ghana, you are a common man in the USA. Time will tell.
Myles Myles
Judicial system in Ghana is so corrupt it took this case to be sent to the US for fair hearing. Its a win for Anas and embarrassment and exposure of the weaknesses of our judiciary.
George Eyiah
A disgrace to our judiciary hmmm meanwhile Nyantakyi is not guilty here in Ghana.
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