In a significant resolution to a high-profile legal dispute, a Ghanaian court has directed actor Lil Win to pay actress Martha Ankomah GHS 300,000 in a defamation case that has garnered widespread attention.
The settlement, finalized on February 25, 2025, marks the end of a contentious battle that began over a year earlier, highlighting the legal and personal stakes involved for public figures in the entertainment industry.
The legal proceedings commenced in February 2024 when Martha Ankomah filed a defamation lawsuit against Lil Win, seeking GHS 5 million in damages. The lawsuit stemmed from derogatory comments Lil Win allegedly made in a viral video, where he criticized Ankomah’s role as a brand ambassador for GTP, a prominent Ghanaian textile company.
In the video, Lil Win reportedly suggested that Ankomah looked down on Kumawood actors, implying that she viewed their storylines as substandard. These remarks, perceived as damaging to Ankomah’s reputation, prompted her to take legal action.
The case progressed through multiple stages, including several court appearances and unsuccessful settlement attempts. In July 2024, an order to resolve the matter out of court fell through, pushing the case toward a full trial. A hearing was scheduled for November 5, 2024, but further developments unfolded in the months that followed.
On December 13, 2024, during an in-camera hearing, Lil Win offered a public apology to Ankomah. However, she rejected it, arguing that it lacked a formal retraction of the statements and genuine remorse. The court adjourned the case to February 25, 2025, to allow for additional settlement discussions. It was during this closed-door session on February 25 that the parties finally reached an agreement.
As part of the court-directed settlement, Lil Win was ordered to pay Martha Ankomah GHS 300,000, a figure notably lower than the GHS 5 million originally sought in the lawsuit. This reduction suggests that negotiations played a critical role in avoiding a protracted trial.
While recent reports do not explicitly confirm whether the settlement included a public apology or retraction, demands Ankomah had previously emphasized—the financial award indicates a compromise that satisfied both parties to some extent.
The resolution of this case brings closure to a dispute that has underscored the risks of defamation, particularly for celebrities whose statements can quickly amplify through social media and public platforms.
For Lil Win, the GHS 300,000 payment represents a significant financial consequence, though far less than the potential GHS 5 million penalty he faced initially. Meanwhile, Martha Ankomah has expressed satisfaction with the outcome, signaling her intent to move forward now that her reputation has been legally vindicated.
The case also serves as a broader cautionary tale for public figures in Ghana’s entertainment industry, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding one’s reputation and the potential legal repercussions of careless statements. Both Lil Win and Ankomah have indicated a desire to put the matter behind them, with the former refocusing on his acting career and the latter reinforcing her standing as a respected actress and brand ambassador.
The court’s directive for Lil Win to pay Martha Ankomah GHS 300,000 concludes a defamation saga that began with a viral video and evolved into a year-long legal confrontation.
Finalized on February 25, 2025, the settlement reflects a negotiated end to a case that tested the boundaries of free expression and personal accountability. As both parties move on, the outcome reinforces the weight of words in the public sphere and the judiciary’s role in balancing reputational harm with fair resolution.
