The Supreme Court of Ghana has imposed a fine of GH₵10,000 on popular actor Lil Win, citing what it described as “disrespectful and arrogant behavior” during proceedings in a defamation case involving actress Martha Ankomah.
The ruling follows a prolonged legal dispute marked by repeated delays and the actor’s failure to appear in court on multiple occasions.
The case originated at the High Court in Accra, where Martha Ankomah filed a defamation lawsuit seeking GH₵5 million in damages. According to reports, both parties had initially agreed to settle the matter out of court, with Lil Win expected to formally apologize before the court on April 1, 2025.
However, the actor and his legal representatives failed to show up on the scheduled date. This led the High Court to issue a final warning on April 15, 2025, cautioning that further disregard for court orders would attract penalties.
Instead of complying, Lil Win reportedly pursued a number of legal challenges that slowed down the process. He questioned the jurisdiction of the case, arguing that it should be handled in Kumasi rather than Accra. After this request was dismissed, he proceeded to file an application at the Court of Appeal to halt proceedings while his appeal was being considered. That application was also rejected.
The matter eventually escalated to the Supreme Court, with a hearing set for March 31, 2026. Yet again, neither the actor nor his lawyers appeared before the court.
In response, the Supreme Court took a firm stance, ruling that the repeated absence demonstrated a lack of respect for the judicial system. As a result, the court ordered Lil Win to pay GH₵10,000 in costs to Martha Ankomah.
Legal observers say the decision sends a strong message, particularly to high-profile individuals, that court procedures must be taken seriously and cannot be ignored or delayed through unnecessary legal tactics.
Reports also suggest that the absence occurred despite ongoing efforts between both parties to reach another settlement, a situation that further frustrated the court.
The ruling highlights the judiciary’s commitment to upholding discipline and accountability within legal proceedings. It also serves as a reminder that all parties, regardless of status, are expected to respect court orders and follow due process.
