HASNEM ENTERPRISE LTD. vs. ELECTRICITY CORPORATION OF GHANA

The plaintiff company, Hasnem Enterprise Ltd., sued the Electricity Corporation of Ghana for damages arising from an electrical incident on 21 March 1981 at its Cape Coast office. According to the plaintiff, when its managing director switched on the office electrical system, bulbs exploded and fluorescent lights emitted flames. The matter was reported to the defendant, whose workmen inspected the premises and found that the main underground service cable to the meters had been cut into two due to a fault. The plaintiff alleged that the fault on the defendant’s service cable caused damage to its electrical appliances and office equipment, including fluorescent fittings, bulbs and an IBM copier machine, and claimed damages for breach of contract, negligence and originally nuisance. The defendant admitted the contractual relationship and admitted that a fault occurred on its underground service cable, but denied negligence and contended instead that the plaintiff had overloaded the supply, thereby damaging the system. Source in judgment: opening paragraphs beginning “The plaintiffs claim against the defendants…” and later “On 21 March 1981 the plaintiffs’ managing director entered the premises…”