The defamation lawsuit filed by actress Martha Ankomah against Kumawood actor Kwadwo Nkansah, widely known as Lil Win, is set to proceed on July 31. The case follows the Case Management Conference held on July 25 at the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Forson Agyapong Baah.
During the conference, the judge directed that Lil Win be formally notified of the upcoming hearing and the court’s notes through standard procedures, as he was absent from the previous session and lacked legal representation.
Martha Ankomah’s lawsuit, lodged on February 14, 2024, accuses Lil Win of making defamatory statements about her in a viral video. In the video, Lil Win is heard making derogatory comments about Ankomah’s role and significance in the film industry.
The lawsuit alleges that Lil Win’s remarks have tarnished Ankomah’s reputation and negatively impacted the GTP brand. Ankomah contends that Lil Win unjustly accused her of dismissing Kumawood actors and refusing to work with them due to their perceived inferior storylines.
In her legal claim, Ankomah seeks the following reliefs:
- GH¢5 million in damages for defamation.
- Compensatory damages for harm to her reputation.
- Aggravated damages due to the malicious nature of the statements.
- An apology and retraction of the defamatory remarks.
- An injunction to prevent Lil Win from making further defamatory statements.
- Reimbursement of legal costs.
The dispute originated from a radio interview Ankomah gave on Accra FM, where she expressed reluctance to collaborate with Kumawood actors, citing a dislike for witchcraft-themed storylines. Lil Win’s angry response led to the remarks Ankomah now considers defamatory.
Ankomah’s statement of claim underscores her esteemed career in film, highlighting her roles and the influence of Lil Win’s comments on her standing. She notes that she has never made disparaging remarks about Kumawood or its storylines, contradicting Lil Win’s assertions.
The statement of claim includes a demand for a declaration that Lil Win’s statements were defamatory. Lil Win’s comments included:
- “Who knows you? If not for GTP and senior government officials who signed you on at GTP, who would have signed you. What kind of star are you? Even your own daughter doesn’t know you.”
- “I don’t even know why GTP bypassed the likes of McBrown, Mercy Asiedu and co and made Martha Ankomah their brand ambassador.”
- “If you had been a male actor, you would have suffered. When you become an actress and you become a star, men take care of you, men rent accommodation for you, men buy you houses, men buy cars for you. You would have suffered as a man but for the fact that you are female. It is men who look after you. You have become a star that is why men take care of your needs, you don’t use your money on anything.”
Ankomah’s writ asserts that she is a respected actress with over 20 years in the industry, having worked in both Ghana and Nigeria. She has held ambassadorial roles with various brands, including GTP, Yaba Ghana, Vibrant Skin Care, and Style In Vogue.
The claim details that Lil Win, on February 8, 2024, unleashed a barrage of insults on social media against Ankomah, alleging that she consistently rejected offers from Kumawood directors, specifically citing an incident with director Frank Fifi Gharbin. Ankomah vehemently denies these allegations and asserts that she never made such comments.
