US court reduces defamation award against Kennedy Agyapong from $18m to $500

 

A Superior Court in New Jersey has granted former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant Kennedy Agyapong’s motion for remittitur and reduced the initial defamation award against him from $18M to $500.

The former Member of Parliament for Assin Central filed a motion for remittitur, asking the judge to reduce the amount awarded against him in a defamation case involving investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The US court initially awarded Anas $18 million in damages against Kennedy Agyapong but in a statement released by Tiger Eye PI said “Today, the trial judge granted Kennedy Agyapong’s motion for remittitur and reduced the initial award to $500. This means that, while the judge held that Kennedy Agyapong had defamed me, in his reasoning, the award against Kennedy Agyapong by the jury was excessive.”

“I am happy that not a single allegation was proven against me in court when Kennedy Agyapong was given full opportunity to substantiate. I will continue in my relentless fight against corruption – and in doing that, continue to name, shame and jail.” Anas vowed.

 

Below is the full statement:

 

Our victory is in the judgement and not the award

“As Ghanaians may recall, a couple of weeks ago, an American jury found Kennedy Agyapong guilty of maliciously defaming my character.

Consequent to the finding by the jury, an amount of $18M was awarded in my favour against Kennedy Agyapong.

Following the award, Kennedy Agyapong filed a motion for remittitur, asking the judge to reduce the amount awarded against him. Thus, inherent in his motion, Kennedy Agyapong admitted to having maliciously defamed me.

Today, the trial judge granted Kennedy Agyapong’s motion for remittitur and reduced the initial award to $500. This means that, while the judge held that Kennedy Agyapong had defamed me, in his reasoning, the award against Kennedy Agyapong by the jury was excessive.

Many avenues of redemption accrue to me, But, it is important to state, as I previously did, that this fight has not been about the money, but rather, the fight for the truth and justice.

I am happy that not a single allegation was proven against me in court when Kennedy Agyapong was given full opportunity to substantiate. I will continue in my relentless fight against corruption – and in doing that, continue to name, shame and jail.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net