[2017]DLHC11981 • May 5, 2017 • High Court
KNUTSFORD CHURCH vs. MICHAEL CORKU MOORTU, THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH
The Plaintiff, Knutsford Church, claimed ownership of approximately 1.44 acres of land originally granted by the Government of Ghana to the Registered Trustees of the Liberal Catholic Church, who assigned their interest to the Plaintiff. The Defendants, including Michael Corku Moortu and The Assemblies of God Church, occupied portions of the land without government grant, claiming ownership through community grants and adverse possession. The dispute centered on whether the land was state-acquired land and which party held superior title.
read moreJUDGMENT The Plaintiff issued a Writ of Summons against the 1st and 2nd Defendants on the 28th day of May, 2013, seeking the following reliefs: (i) A declaration that the land in dispute covering on approximate area of 1.44 acres was duly granted to the registered Trustees of the Liberal Catholic Church by the Government of Ghana. (ii) A declaration that the Registered Trustees of the Liberal Catholic Church duly assigned its interest in the land in dispute to the Plaintiff. (iii) A declaration that the portions of land occupied by the 1st and 2nd Defendants fall within the 1.44 acres of land granted to the Plaintiff. (iv) A declaration that the Defendants having not obtained any grant from the Government of Ghana are on the land in dispute as trespassers. (v) An Order of recovery of possession in favour of the Plaintiff against the 1st and 2nd Defendants (vi) Costs. 2nd Defendant filed its appearance on the 14th of June, 2013. Per its Amended Statement of Defence and Coun...