The defamation suit filed by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas against Assin Central Member of Parliament, Ken Agyepong, has faced a setback as the Supreme Court has dismissed a motion against a decision made by an Accra High Court.
In June 2018, Anas Aremeyaw Anas dragged Ken Agyapong to court, accusing him of defaming him and sought compensation of GHC25 million. However, Justice Eric Baah, who presided over the case, dismissed the suit because Anas Aremeyaw Anas failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims.
“From the above, I hold that the plaintiff [Anas] is a blackmailer who uses blackmail to extort money from his opponents and people he does not like. “What the plaintiff is doing is not investigative journalism but investigative terrorism,” Justice Baah ruled after awarding a cost of GH¢50,000 against Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The investigative reporter was dissatisfied with the High Court’s ruling, so he took his case to the Supreme Court in an attempt to overturn the decision. He argued that the judge had overstepped his authority by using certain language in the verdict.
However, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, voted 3-2 to reject Anas’ motion. Justices Imoro Amadu Tanku and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi dissented, while Chief Justice Torkornoo, along with Justices Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu and Samuel Asiedu, were in the majority.
The court announced that the full explanation of their decision would be released by March 4th.
