Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, has clarified that the $500 defamation award against his boss is not a reduction of a previously finalized $18 million judgment, contrary to widespread reports.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Monday, May 12, Kwarteng explained that the $500 award was the result of a legal motion filed by Agyapong’s legal team and not a slashing of a formal judgment already issued by the court.
“The $500 award that we are witnessing today is not a plus or a reduction of any $18 million judgment. There was no $18 million judgment even to begin with, so what we are seeing is not a slash or a reduction of any prior judgment,” he clarified.
“The $500 award that we are seeing resulted from a motion that was filed by Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s lawyer to move the jury award. So, yes, first of all, there was a jury award, but it was not adopted by the court yet, so it cannot be construed as a judgment of the court.
“But kindly, they filed the motion to move the judgment. For simple terms, you may call it a review. This is not a reduction of an earlier judgment,” Kwarteng emphasized.
His comments follow a decision by the Superior Court in Essex County, New Jersey, which revised the damages in a defamation case filed by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The suit, initiated on May 17, 2022, stemmed from remarks made by Agyapong on The Daddy Fred Show, in which he accused Anas of being a criminal and implicated him in the murder of journalist Ahmed Suale.
A few weeks ago, a U.S. jury found Agyapong liable for defamation and awarded Anas $18 million in damages.
However, Agyapong’s legal team filed a motion for remittitur, arguing the award was excessive. The trial judge upheld the defamation ruling but reduced the amount to $500, describing the original figure as unreasonably high.
Mr. Kwarteng’s remarks aim to correct public misunderstanding, reiterating that no final $18 million judgment was ever entered before the judge ruled on the motion.
Meanwhile, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, while expressing disappointment with the reduced award, reiterated that his goal was never about financial gain but rather to defend his reputation.