[2015]DLCA5319 • May 28, 2015 • Court of Appeal
MARTIN J. VERDOES vs. PATRICIA ABENA AND VERDOES KORANCHIE
The parties, married in Holland in 1984, lived in Libya and later Ghana. They had two adopted children. The petitioner sought divorce and various property settlements, including the matrimonial home, land at McCarthy Hill, a house at Nsuta, shares in a company, and vehicles. The respondent cross-petitioned for divorce citing unreasonable behavior and adultery, custody of children, maintenance, lump sum payment, and entitlement to the matrimonial home. The High Court granted divorce, custody to respondent, ordered joint ownership of properties, and maintenance payments by petitioner. The respondent appealed against joint ownership findings and maintenance provisions.
read moreKUSI-APPIAH, J.A.: By his petition filed on the 17th October, 2007, the petitioner prayed that: a. “The marriage between the petitioner and respondent be dissolved. b. Custody of the children be granted to the petitioner. c. The matrimonial home built by the petitioner from proceeds from the sale of his house in Holland be settled in favour of the petitioner. d. A plot of land situate at McCarthy Hill belonging to the parties be settled in favour of the children of the marriage. e. A six bedroom house with boys quarters built by him at Nsuta in the Central Region be settled in favour of the respondents. f. The respond to keep all the shares and assets of a limited liability company called Verdak Company Ltd. established by the parties. g. A land cruiser belonging to the petitioner but in possession of the respondent and a Volvo Station Vehicle purchased by the petitioner be settled in favour of the respondent.” The respondent not only answered the petition but also cross...