A U.S. court has dismissed an application for a mistrial filed by Kennedy Agyapong’s legal team following the jury’s verdict in the defamation case brought against him by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
According to Evans Selasi Adika, a member of Anas’ legal team, opposing counsel has made two post-verdict applications so far—one for remittitur and another for a mistrial.
The first, filed immediately after the jury’s verdict on Thursday, March 13, sought to reduce the $18 million damages awarded to Anas on the grounds that it was excessive and “shocked the judicial conscience.” However, the judge informed Agyapong’s counsel that the issue was not properly before the court.
[embedded content]“On the 18th, when the jury had other business related to this case, opposing counsel made a motion for a mistrial, which was firmly denied by the court,” Adika stated in an interview on JoyNews‘ Newsfile on Saturday, March 22.
This follows a Superior Court of New Jersey that awarded investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas $18 million in damages in a defamation lawsuit against former Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong, and Frederick Asamoah, a social media commentator.
Mr Adika clarified that the case is not yet on appeal, as the judgment has not been formally reduced to writing. However, he emphasised that the legal process must be followed.
“Despite counsel’s misgivings about what transpired in court, his recourse lies in following the rules and filing the necessary post-trial motions, as instructed by the judge,” he added.
When asked whether anything could alter the jury’s verdict of malicious defamation and the $18 million damages awarded, Adika affirmed that the trial itself was over.
“As we stand, we don’t have a next court date. The trial is over, subject to anyone filing a post-trial motion within the framework of the law,” he replied.
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