Supreme Court fines Lil Win GH¢10,000 over ‘disrespectful’ conduct in Martha Ankomah defamation case

The Supreme Court of Ghana has imposed a GH¢10,000 cost on Kumawood actor Lil Win, citing what it described as disrespectful conduct during ongoing legal proceedings involving actress Martha Ankomah.

The dispute stems from a defamation suit filed on 14 February 2024 at the High Court in Accra, where Martha Ankomah sought GH¢5 million in damages over remarks made by Lil Win in a viral video. In the footage, the actor alleged that she had made disparaging comments about the Kumawood film industry to director Frank Fiifi Gharbin, suggesting that she considered its productions lacking in quality and had therefore declined to work within the sector.

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Widely regarded as a leading figure in Kumawood, Lil Win responded with a series of heated remarks, accusing Ankomah of disrespect and making further statements that were widely criticised 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 its terms and pursued additional legal actions that delayed proceedings.

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During a hearing on 1 April 2025, at which he was expected to present a formal apology for the court’s approval as part of the settlement, neither the actor nor his legal representatives appeared. This prompted the High Court to issue a final warning on 15 April, directing him to attend or face sanctions.

The case subsequently escalated through the courts following a series of legal applications. After an initial motion was dismissed, Lil Win sought a stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal pending further action, but that request was also rejected. He later brought the matter before the Supreme Court, where it was scheduled for hearing on 31 March 2026.

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According to reports, the actor and his legal team again failed to appear in court. The Supreme Court panel, expressing displeasure at his absence, ordered him to pay GH¢10,000 in costs to the plaintiff, describing his conduct as “disrespectful”.

The latest development comes despite indications that both parties had been making progress towards another possible settlement in the long-running dispute.