BANK OF WEST AFRICA LTD. vs. HOLDBROOK [1966]DLHC1660

Date	1966-02-14
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1966]DLHC1660

ARCHER J.

KUDJAWU FOR THE APPLICANTS.

RESPONDENT IN PERSON.

[1966]DLHC1660
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >BANK OF WEST AFRICA LTD. <o:p></o:p>vs. <o:p></o:p>HOLDBROOK <o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT, CAPE COAST]<o:p></o:p>[1966] GLR 164<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">

DATE:
14 FEBRUARY, 1966.<o:p></o:p>

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

KUDJAWU FOR THE APPLICANTS.<o:p></o:p>

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

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

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT OF ARCHER J.<o:p></o:p>This is
an application by the defendants under Order 25, r. 4 of the Supreme [High]
Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 1954,1 for an order to strike out the
plaintiff’s statement of claim and the writ of summons on the ground that “it
discloses no reasonable cause of action and is frivolous and vexatious and that
the defendants be at liberty to sign judgment for their costs of defence and
this application.”<o:p></o:p>Order 25,
r. 4 reads:<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">“The
Court or a Judge may order any pleading to be struck out, on the ground that it
discloses no reasonable cause of action or answer, and in any such case or in
case of the action or defence being shown by the pleadings to be frivolous or
vexatious, the Court or a Judge may order the action to be stayed or dismissed,
or judgment to be entered accordingly, as may be just.”<o:p></o:p>The endorsement
on the plaintiff’s writ of summons reads:<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">“(a) The
plaintiff’s claim is for a document made on or about 31 August 1962 to be set
aside on the ground that it was obtained by fraud and undue influence . . .<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">(b)
¢84,000 (eighty-four thousand cedis) damages for breach of contract, fraudulent
misrepresentation and deceit.”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Then the
crucial paragraph among other paragraphs in the statement of claim reads:<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) On
or about 31 August 1962, the defendant bank in breach of the contract through
their London agents at 37 Grace Church Street, London, E.C. 3, England,
aforesaid, made untrue statements to the plaintiff in consequence of which the
defendant bank obtained a document made on or about 31 August 1962, from the
plaintiff by false representation.”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The plaintiff
has since filed notice asking leave to amend 31 August 1962 to read 31 July
1962.<o:p></o:p>The
defendants in support of their application filed an affidavit of fifteen
paragraphs together with copies of seven documents including the document dated
31 July 1962 as exhibits for consideration by the court. The plaintiff also
filed an affidavit, containing fourteen paragraphs with exhibits, in opposition
and has since filed another notice asking leave of the court to amend his
statement of claim by adding particulars of claim and damages as follows:<o:p></o:p>“Loss of
earnings and injury to credit, consortium and comfort for 5 years 1961 to 1966
at £G4,000 per<o:p></o:p>annum &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;£G20,000<o:p></o:p>