THE REPUBLIC vs. BRIGHT OFORI QUAYE, FRANCOIS ADJETTEY SOWAH AND PATRICK OSSOM

1.0 Background 1.1 Judgment in this suit was scheduled for delivery on 30 March 2020. It could not be delivered. The parties and the lawyers failed to attend court. This is due to the restrictive order that the President of the Republic issued as part of measures in addressing the Coronavirus pandemic. Subject to a few exemptions, the executive order affected and restricted the movement of persons and residents within the Greater Accra metropolis, certainly including the parties and their lawyers in the matter who as a result did not turn up in court, though the court was ready. Despite the absence of the parties and their lawyers, the lawyers kept contact with the court clerks and agreed with the clerk to reschedule delivery of the judgment to 11 May 2020. At the scheduled date, A1 was absent in court, though it was confirmed that he was in court earlier. The suit was adjourned to 14 May 2020. The court ordered for warrant for his arrest. On 14 May, A1 was once again absent in court...