ANNOUS vs. APPOH

JUDGMENT OF ANIN J.A. When a court announces its decision on one date and hands down its reasons for the decision on a later date, what, for the purpose of calculating the time limited for appeal or review, is the date of the court’s decision? This in a nutshell is the important question raised by this unpretentious motion for extension of time within which to apply for a review. The undisputed facts are that the plaintiff recovered judgment in the trial Circuit Court, Accra, on 22 November 1977 for recovery of possession to a plot of land at Korle-Bu Nmenmete and for other ancillary reliefs. The aggrieved defendant thereupon appealed to this court; and after a full hearing, the ordinary bench of this court (coram Apaloo C.J. Sowah and Anin JJ.A.) on 13 February 1979 allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment of the court below, while reserving its reasons for a later date. The decision of the ordinary bench dated 13 February 1979 was in the following terms: “We al...