MMERA vs. ACHAMPONG [1962]DLHC1597

Date	1962-02-14
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1962]DLHC1597

DJABANOR J.

D. S. EFFAH FOR THE DEFENDANT-APPLICANT.

Y. B. AMOATIN FOR F. A. JANTUAH FOR THE PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT.

[1962]DLHC1597
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" ><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">MMERA<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">&nbsp;vs. <o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">ACHAMPONG <o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT, KUMASI]<o:p></o:p>[1962] 1 GLR 74<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.5pt;
padding:31.0pt 31.0pt 1.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">

DATE:<span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#00B0F0"> 14TH FEBRUARY, 1962.<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

D.
S. EFFAH FOR THE DEFENDANT-APPLICANT.<o:p></o:p>

Y.
B. AMOATIN FOR F. A. JANTUAH FOR THE PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT.<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM: <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 6.0pt 0in">

DJABANOR J.<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT OF
DJABANOR J.<o:p></o:p>By her writ of summons the plaintiff claimed from the defendant,
the admitted head of her family, the following declarations: <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(1) that she (plaintiff) is also a member of the Afra family — to
which the defendant also belongs (and of which defendant is head); <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(2) that the property valued at £G900 left by certain named
deceased members of the family has now become family property; <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(3) that defendant as head of the Afra family holds the properties
left by the extinct line of Manyam, as trustee for the remaining two lines of
descent which constitute the Afra family. A detailed statement of claim was
attached to the writ.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>By his statement of defence the defendant admitted all the facts
for which the declaration is sought, namely, that the plaintiff is a member of
the Afra family, that the defendant is the head of that family, and that the
properties valued at £G900 or so became family property and were held by the
defendant as such. The defendant however now seeks under Order 25, rule 4 to
have the writ and particulars of claim struck out as not disclosing a
reasonable cause of action. The plaintiff resisted this application under Order
25, rule 51(1) that “No action or proceeding shall be open to objection, on the
ground that a merely declaratory judgment or order is sought thereby, and the
court may make binding declarations of right whether any consequential relief
is or could be claimed, or not”.<o:p></o:p>I think the submissions of counsel for the defendant are well
founded. The plaintiff herself acknowledges the defendant as head of family. I
am not sure whether such an action is maintainable by native custom. There is
no issue as to whether or not the properties are family property. The defendant
is not being accused of claiming them as anything other than family property.
That he holds these family properties in trust for the whole family is a matter
of native customary law. I do not understand the need for these declarations at
all. I think the whole action is frivolous. I am fortified by the case of Re
Clay2(2) where it was held that a declaration cannot be made against a
defendant who has asserted no right nor formulated a specific claim.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>I will strike out the writ and claim and dismiss the action, and
it is accordingly dismissed with costs to the defendant assessed at 20 guineas.<o:p></o:p>