The Supreme Court of Ghana has imposed a GH¢10,000 cost on Kumawood actor Lil Win, citing what it described as “disrespectful” conduct in an ongoing legal dispute involving actress Martha Ankomah.
The case originates from a defamation suit filed by Martha Ankomah on February 14, 2024, at the High Court in Accra. She is seeking GH¢5 million in damages over comments allegedly made by Lil Win in a viral video.
In the footage, the actor claimed that Ankomah had made disparaging remarks about the Kumawood film industry, suggesting that she viewed its productions as substandard and had declined to associate with it.
Lil Win, a prominent figure in the Kumawood movie scene, responded with a series of remarks that drew public criticism, with many describing them as inflammatory and derogatory.
In February 2025, both parties reportedly reached an agreement aimed at resolving the matter. However, the settlement process stalled after Lil Win allegedly failed to comply with the agreed terms and pursued further legal actions that delayed proceedings.
During a scheduled hearing on April 1, 2025, where Lil Win was expected to present a formal apology for the court’s approval as part of the settlement, neither he nor his legal representatives appeared.
This absence prompted the High Court to issue a final warning on April 15, directing him to attend subsequent proceedings or face sanctions.
The dispute later escalated through the judicial system, moving from the High Court to the Court of Appeal and eventually to the Supreme Court. Lil Win had sought a stay of proceedings at the appellate level, but his request was dismissed.
At the Supreme Court hearing on March 31, 2026, the actor and his legal team again failed to appear. The panel, expressing strong dissatisfaction, described his conduct as disrespectful and subsequently ordered him to pay GH¢10,000 in costs to the plaintiff.
The ruling comes despite indications that both parties had been working toward another possible settlement in the protracted legal battle.
The case continues to draw significant attention within Ghana’s entertainment industry, highlighting issues of professionalism, accountability, and the legal consequences of public statements.
