[2018]DLHC3984 • February 6, 2018 • High Court
KWADWO OPOKU & ANOTHER vs. ERIC KOFI BOATENG
The plaintiffs, Kwadwo Opoku and another, entered into a lease agreement dated 18th August 1999 with the defendant, Eric Kofi Boateng, granting the defendant a 35-year lease to develop an undeveloped property at Block 39, Plot 1, Ahodwo, Kumasi. The plaintiffs alleged breach of this lease agreement and sought recovery of the land and building, an order for the defendant to render accounts, general damages for breach, and costs including lawyer's fees.
read moreThis ruling seeks to determine the merits of the preliminary legal objection challenging the jurisdiction of the Commercial Court from hearing an application for an order appointing a receiver under Order 27(1) of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (CI 47) and for an ancillary injunction order under Order 27(2) of CI 47. The issue of “whether or not the suit has been commenced in the proper forum” is one of the issues set out for trial. The court,however, decided to hear and determine this preliminary legal issue in a bid to ensure speedy and effective justice as required by Order 1 rule 1(2) of CI 47. This is coupled with the fact that the issue of jurisdiction of the court can be raised at any time. See Republic v High Court Denu, Ex-parte Avadali IV [1993/94] 1GLR 561 at 562 (holding 1). I have carefully considered the arguments advanced by both counsel. While counsel for the defendant/respondent argues that the commercial court has no jurisdiction to entertain the m...