Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has expressed optimism about receiving the $18 million (£14 million) awarded to him in a defamation lawsuit against Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong. However, he emphasized that the real victory lies in the precedent set by the ruling.

The lawsuit stemmed from Agyapong’s public accusations, branding Anas a "criminal" following his exposé on corruption in Ghanaian and international football. Although Anas initially lost the case in Ghana, he pursued legal action in the United States—where Agyapong owns assets—and secured a favorable judgment.

"The bigger impact for me is not the money but the fact that young journalists are encouraged [to hold the powerful to account] no matter how big you are [as] a politician", Anas told the BBC.

During the trial, the court was informed that Agyapong had made several allegations against Anas on a podcast, including calling him a “criminal” and accusing him of involvement in the murder of journalist Ahmed Suale.

Speaking to the BBC, Anas expressed his continued grief over Suale’s death. While acknowledging the recent arrest of a suspect, he remains convinced that others responsible for the crime are still at large.

"From time to time I go to where Ahmed was shot, and I go to have my own quiet time. I go to his grave.

"It encourages me. When Ahmed was alive he asked me one day: 'Boss, I want [to] assure you [that] one day if you should die, I would continue with the good work that you do'. I didn't know it was going to be the reverse because, all along… I was the one who was the target."

Anas has been scathing in his criticism of Ghana's legal system, telling the BBC he believes "many" members of the judiciary "are doing nothing but tilting the scale of justice in favour of the wrong one".

Anas Aremeyaw Anas pursued his defamation case against MP Kennedy Agyapong in New Jersey, citing the politician’s presence in the state during his appearance on the Daddy Fred Show podcast, as outlined in court documents.

Earlier this month, an eight-member jury in Essex County Superior Court unanimously ruled in favor of Anas, holding Agyapong liable for defamation. The court awarded the investigative journalist $18 million in damages, including $8 million in punitive compensation.

"I feel very happy, I think that it's a vindication of what I have always preached. This goes a long way to encourage African journalists across the continent there's a need for us to be resilient. There's a need for us to have a stomach to take the heat," Anas told the BBC.Now that the court has ordered Agyapong to pay damages, the journalist says he is confident the funds will be transferred because his legal team's "due diligence" had assessed the value of property and businesses owned by the MP before bringing the case.

"I cannot be 100% certain, but I know that my legal team has done some work and they have a plan," he adds.

Anas says that, even though his case was won in the US, it should serve as a wake-up call to the rich and powerful that African journalists can and will hold them to account.

"We also have the capacity to stand toe-to-toe with you. Whilst we are patient, whilst we are honest, our day will definitely come."