[1961]DLSC1973 • February 20, 1961 • Supreme Court •
AMADJEI AND OTHERS vs. OPOKU WARE
The appellants, important citizens of Kwabeng in the Akim Abuakwa traditional area, claimed damages for false imprisonment against the respondent, the chief of Kwabeng. On 28 October 1961, the respondent made a false charge to the police alleging the appellants held an unlawful meeting. The police arrested and detained the appellants for about two hours at the respondent's residence (Ahenfie) before releasing them without charge. The appellants were publicly escorted through the streets, causing humiliation. The respondent denied causing the arrest, claiming he only requested investigation.
read moreJUDGMENT OF BLAY J.S.C. The appellants who were plaintiffs in the court below together claimed against the respondent £G5,000 damages for false imprisonment. It appears from the evidence that the appellants are important citizens of the town of Kwabeng in the Akim Abuakwa traditional area, of which the respondent is the chief. The appellants’ case was that the respondent on the 28th October, 1961, made a false charge against them to the police whereupon they were arrested, detained and subsequently escorted through the streets of Kwabeng to the Ahenfie, the residence of the respondent; that after their detention lasting for about two hours, i.e. from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., they were released by the police who said they could find nothing against them as the respondent refused to prefer any formal charge against them. The defence of the respondent was that he did not cause the arrest of the appellants or any of them. The action was tried before Ollennu J. (as he then wa...