AFRICAN WOODS LTD. vs. ADMINISTRATOR OF STOOL LANDS CONCESSION ENQUIRY NO. 471 (ASHANTI) ASUKESE FOREST RESERVE TIMBER CONCESSION

JUDGMENT OF VAN LARE J.S.C. Van Lare J.S.C. delivered the judgment of the court. This appeal is against a ruling dated the 9th December, 1960, delivered by Simpion, J. sitting in the High Court, Kumasi, whereby he declined to sign and issue formal certificate of validity in respect of the concession, the subject matter of the above-mentioned concession proceedings. The material facts are briefly these. The claimants-appellants obtained two timber concessions under two instruments both bearing the date the 10th August, 1956, executed by the Kronti and Akwaboa stools of Ashanti respectively acting by their lawful customary representatives. On the 6th September, 1956, Messrs. Asafu-Adjaye & Co., solicitors, of Kumasi, filed the usual notice in respect of the said concessions in court. Thereafter, according to the record of appeal, nothing further appears to have been done by or on behalf of the claimants, until the 4th February, 1958, when the solicitors by a letter of that dat...