Van Vicker sues Lil Win for defamation, seeks GH¢10m in damages

Ghanaian actor Joseph Van Vicker has sued fellow actor Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, for defamation, seeking GH¢10 million in exemplary damages.

The suit, filed at the High Court in Accra on October 10, concerns statements Lil Win allegedly made about Van Vicker in a video published on social media.

According to the statement of claim, Van Vicker argues that the publication portrayed him as dishonest, disrespectful and unprofessional in his dealings within the film industry.

The suit centres on a video in which Lil Win allegedly accused Van Vicker of failing to honour commitments relating to a movie project and not returning his calls.

The video reportedly carried the headline, “LIL WIN BANS VAN VICKER FROM ACTING IN KUMASI!”

In the video, Lil Win is alleged to have accused Van Vicker of lying about the disagreement and suggested that the actor had failed to fulfil his professional obligations.

“You are rather fabricating lies against me,” Lil Win allegedly said in the video, according to the English translation included in the court documents.

Van Vicker contends that the statements damaged his reputation and could affect his professional relationships with actors, producers and directors, particularly within Kumawood.

He further argues that the publication could discourage industry players from working with him and says he has had to cancel planned business trips to Kumasi because of concerns about his safety.

The actor is seeking GH¢10 million in exemplary damages, general damages for libel, a retraction and apology, as well as legal costs.

In the statement of claim, Van Vicker also alleges that the publication was made maliciously and was intended to attract public attention to Lil Win and his movie project, 'Journey to Africa.'