Private investigative firm Tiger Eye P.I. has responded to a U.S. court's new ruling that significantly reduced the damages awarded in its defamation case against MP Kennedy Agyapong, stating that the legal battle was never about financial compensation but rather the pursuit of truth and justice.

The trial judge, in a ruling delivered, granted Mr Agyapong’s motion for remittitur, slashing the original $18 million awarded by a jury to $500.

While the court acknowledged that Mr Agyapong had indeed defamed the plaintiff, it ruled that the sum set by the jury was excessive.

Read also: Anas vrs. Kennedy Agyapong: U.S. Court slashes $18m defamation fine to $500

In a press statement issued following the judgement, Tiger Eye P.I. emphasised that the ruling still confirms the core issue: that the outspoken legislator maliciously defamed them.

“Today, the trial judge granted Kennedy Agyapong’s motion for remittitur and reduced the initial award to $500. This means that, while the judge held that Kennedy Agyapong had defamed me, in his reasoning, the award against Kennedy Agyapong by the jury was excessive.”

Tiger Eye P.I., led by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, emphasised that their priority was never the monetary outcome, but rather the legal and moral vindication of their reputation.

“Many avenues of redemption accrue to me. But it is important to state, as I previously did, that this fight has not been about the money, but rather a fight for truth and justice.”

The group also pointed out that Mr Agyapong, despite being given full opportunity in court, failed to prove any of the claims he had made against them.

“I am happy that not a single allegation was proven against me in court when Kennedy Agyapong was given full opportunity to substantiate,” the statement read.