Entertainment
Van Vicker Sues Lil Win for Defamation, Seeks GH¢10 Million in Damages
Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Van Vicker has filed a lawsuit against fellow actor and Kumawood star Lil Win, accusing him of making defamatory statements that allegedly damaged his reputation and professional standing in the Ghanaian film industry.
According to the court documents contained in the writ and statement of claim, Van Vicker, whose full name is Joseph Van Vicker, is seeking GH¢10 million in exemplary damages, general damages for libel, a retraction and apology, as well as legal costs.
The suit was filed at the High Court of Justice, General Jurisdiction Division, in Accra. The writ identifies Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, as the defendant.
The documents state that Van Vicker is seeking redress over statements allegedly made by Lil Win in a video published on Facebook. The actor contends that the statements portrayed him as dishonest, disrespectful and unprofessional in his dealings with film producers and other industry players.
The allegations are contained in the plaintiff’s statement of claim and have not, in the documents reviewed, been established as findings by the court.
In the statement of claim, Van Vicker describes himself as an established Ghanaian actor, film director and producer who has worked across the Ghanaian and Nigerian film industries, including Ghallywood, Nollywood and Kumawood.
He states that he began his career as a television personality with TV3 between 1997 and 1999, before working as a radio presenter at Groove 106.3 FM from 1999 to 2000 and Vibe 91.9 FM from 2001 to 2004. He also worked with Metro TV between 2000 and 2006.
The plaintiff further states that he has featured in more than 150 films internationally and has worked with several prominent actors from Ghana and Nigeria.
According to the court documents, Van Vicker has also produced and directed films through his production company, Sky + Orange Productions, since 2008.
The statement of claim highlights his participation in Kumawood productions, including Joni Waka, Broni Wawu, Black Monkey and Sika Sei Yonkoo. These projects, he argues, demonstrate his involvement in the Twi-language film industry and his efforts to bridge the gap between Ghana’s English-language movie industry and Kumawood.
He also cites awards and nominations he has received during his career, arguing that he has built a professional reputation both locally and internationally.
The lawsuit centres on a video that Van Vicker alleges Lil Win authored and published on Facebook. The video reportedly carried the caption, LIL WIN BANS VAN VICKER FROM ACTING IN KUMASI!
According to the statement of claim, Lil Win accused Van Vicker of failing to fulfil professional commitments connected to a film project and of not responding to calls from the production team.
The court documents contain an English translation of statements allegedly made by Lil Win in Twi. In the video, Lil Win reportedly said that Van Vicker had failed to carry out agreed work and had not returned five missed calls.
Lil Win allegedly maintained that he had evidence of their communications, including WhatsApp chats and audio recordings, to support his account of the disagreement.
The statements also referred to Journey to Africa, described in the video as an international movie project. According to the translation contained in the court documents, Lil Win said Van Vicker could remain part of the film’s cast if he apologised and explained why he had not returned the calls. Otherwise, he allegedly threatened to remove him from the project.
The plaintiff contends that the statements presented him as a dishonest and unprofessional actor who accepts film roles but fails to appear for work.
He further argues that the publication suggested he was disrespectful towards producers and directors and had a disregard for professional obligations in the film industry.
These are allegations and interpretations advanced by Van Vicker in his legal filing, rather than findings established by the court.
Van Vicker claims the publication has harmed his reputation and exposed him to public ridicule, contempt and hostility.
In the statement of claim, he alleges that the video was published maliciously and sensationally, with the intention of attracting public attention and generating interest in Lil Win’s film project.
He further argues that the publication was calculated to increase the defendant’s visibility, ratings and viewership on social media platforms by associating his name with the controversy.
The plaintiff also alleges that Lil Win’s statements created the impression that he had been banned from participating in Kumawood productions or travelling to Kumasi for professional engagements.
According to the filing, Van Vicker believes the allegations have affected his ability to secure film roles because producers who previously engaged him are now uncertain about whether he would be available to work in Kumasi.
He claims that he has lost opportunities in the Kumawood industry as a result of the controversy.
The actor also states that he has experienced fear and anxiety and has cancelled trips to Kumasi because of concerns about how members of the public might react to him following the publication.
He argues that the alleged ban and the resulting consequences infringe on his professional and economic interests, as well as his right to freedom of movement under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The plaintiff is asking the court to intervene to prevent further publication of the statements or similar allegations.
In addition to the GH¢10 million in exemplary damages, Van Vicker is seeking a declaration that the statements contained in the Facebook video are libellous and defamatory.
He is also requesting general damages for libel, the retraction of the publication and an apology on news portals with the same prominence as the original publication for four consecutive weeks.
The suit further seeks an award of costs, including legal fees.
The writ of summons identifies the plaintiff as Joseph Van Vicker and the defendant as Kwadwo Nkansah, also known as Lil Win. It directs the defendant to enter an appearance within eight days after service of the writ, inclusive of the day of service, and warns that judgment could be entered in his absence if he fails to do so.
The documents indicate that the statement of claim was dated October 10, 2026, and was issued through Ebenezer Asare of Troth Legal, Westland Boulevard, West Legon, Accra, as counsel for the plaintiff.