Supreme Court Dismisses Anas’ Defamation Suit Against Honourable Kennedy Agyapong

Written by Afua Amankwanowa 

The Supreme Court has declined investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas' plea to overturn a ruling by an Accra High Court in his defamation lawsuit against Assin Central Member of Parliament, Honourable Kennedy Agyepong. In June 2018, Anas initiated legal action against Agyepong, alleging defamation and seeking damages amounting to GHC25 million. However, the High Court, under the direction of Justice Eric Baah, dismissed Anas' case, asserting that he had failed to adequately support his allegations. Justice Baah further characterized Anas' tactics as blackmail rather than legitimate investigative journalism, levying a cost of GH¢50,000 against him. Unhappy with this outcome, Anas pursued recourse in the Supreme Court, contending that Justice Baah had overstepped his jurisdiction by employing certain language in his verdict.

Nonetheless, in a 3-2 majority decision, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court's ruling, with Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo presiding over the five-member panel. Justices Imoro Amadu Tanku and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi dissented, while Justices Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu and Samuel Asiedu concurred with the majority. The court announced that it would furnish detailed rationale for its decision by March 4th.