Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has reacted to the decision by the Accra High Court to dismiss his defamation suit against Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong.
In a ruling today (March 15), the Court presided over by Justice Eric Baah, a Court of Appeal judge sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, dismissed the case for lacking merit.
According to the judge, although the words spoken against Anas were factual and capable of defamation, he could not prove the same.
“From the above, I hold that the plaintiff 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,” the presiding judge, who awarded the cost of GH¢50,000 against Anas ruled.
But Anas has in a response described the ruling as a travesty of justice.
“The court established that Mr. Agyapong indeed defamed Anas but in a bizarre twist concluded that the so-called documentary “Who Watches the Watchman” was an absolute justification, thereby absolving Mr. Agyapong of any liability.
We find the decision of the court an unfortunate travesty of justice and very inimical to the administration of justice and fairness. If for nothing at all, Mr. Agyapong made an allegation of murder against Mr. Anas. There is absolutely nothing contained in the said documentary which alludes to the commission of murder or an allegation of the commission of murder by Mr. Anas. Thus, that documentary cannot provide any justification for an allegation of murder in the wildest imagination. Yet the judge conveniently ignored this obvious fact and the fact that Mr. Anas is not a suspect for murder and is not under investigation for murder.”
He added that the ruling will not stop him and his team from fighting corruption.
“Tiger Eye P.I and our CEO, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, remain resolute in our fight against corruption in the Ghanaian society in service to God and country.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
