The Accra High Court has voiced its frustration over delays in the GH¢5 million defamation lawsuit filed by actress Martha Ankomah against Kumawood star Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as LilWin.
The court raised concerns on April 14, 2025, after LilWin and his legal team failed to appear, despite an earlier agreement between both parties to file their terms of settlement by April 1.
The defamation case stems from alleged derogatory remarks made by LilWin in response to Martha Ankomah’s public comments, in which she stated that she avoids working with Kumawood actors due to what she perceived as poor storytelling quality in their films.
Following public backlash, LilWin reportedly initiated steps toward an out-of-court settlement. The court, in turn, adjourned proceedings to give both parties time to reach an agreement.
However, during the latest hearing, Martha Ankomah’s lawyer, Nii Appiatu Plange, informed the court that although all settlement terms had been submitted to LilWin’s legal team for signing, there had been no feedback or action taken.
“I sent the agreed terms to the defendant’s lawyer for the defendant to sign in the middle of March, but as I speak, I have not heard anything from counsel,” Plange told the court.
Jalila Sumaila, who held brief for the substantive counsel Margaret Adjei-Twum, attributed the delay to the lead counsel’s illness, noting that the documents had now been sent to the defendant for signature. She requested an adjournment.
“My instructions are that the terms have been given to the defendant to sign, and substantive counsel is not well; hence, we are praying for a date,” Sumaila stated.
Representing the plaintiff, Plange responded:
“We will oblige them a last adjournment, and if they fail to sign, then we proceed with the matter.”
Presiding Judge Justice Forson Agyapong Baah expressed dissatisfaction with the defendant’s conduct:
“I honestly thought today we were going to adopt the terms of settlement. This dragging of feet in signing the terms is not good for anybody.”
The court has adjourned the case to May 14, 2025, warning that if the settlement terms are not filed by then, the case will proceed to trial.
“If at the next adjourned date, May 14, 2025, the terms have not been filed, the case shall proceed,” the court declared.
