DIAB vs. QUANSAH [1973]DLHC2272

Date	1973-12-13
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1973]DLHC2272

ABBAN J.

S.F. GOODHEAD FOR THE PLAINTIFF.

G.A. MUSTAPHA FOR THE DEFENDANT.

[1973]DLHC2272
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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:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:Times;color:#548DD4;mso-themecolor:text2;mso-themetint:
153">DIAB <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:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:Times;color:#548DD4;mso-themecolor:text2;mso-themetint:
153">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:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:Times;color:#548DD4;mso-themecolor:text2;mso-themetint:
153">QUANSAH <o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT,
ACCRA]<o:p></o:p>&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;[1974] 1 GLR 101<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:
13 DECEMBER 1973.<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">

S.F.
GOODHEAD FOR THE PLAINTIFF.<o:p></o:p>

G.A.
MUSTAPHA FOR THE DEFENDANT.<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">

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

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT OF ABBAN J.<o:p></o:p>This
action was commenced by a specially endorsed writ. The plaintiff’s claim is for
the sum of ¢5,013.25 plus eight per cent interest, calculated from 15 June 1965
to the date of judgment. After the defendant had entered appearance, the
plaintiff moved for final judgment under Order 14, r. 1 of the Supreme [High]
Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 1954 (L.N. 140A). Having regard to the nature of
defence which the defendant raised in his affidavit opposing the said
application, the court granted the defendant leave to defend the action.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The claim
of the plaintiff is founded on a document which both parties described as a
promissory note. The note was dated 15 April 1965, and it contains the
following statement:<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">“Received
from N. Diab of Diab Building Co. the sum of two thousand five hundred and six
pounds twelve shillings and six pence to be paid back within two months.
(Signed) John S. B. Quansah.”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The
parties agree that they came to know each other through one Joe Welsing some
time in 1965, and they became friends thereafter. The defendant owned a limited
liability company—Comet Construction Co., Ltd. This company, according to the
plaintiff, had at that time rented a dwelling-house at Kaneshie from one Mr.
Quaye. The defendant arranged with his company to sub-let the house to the
plaintiff, who is a foreigner. Around about the same time the plaintiff also
floated a company, known as Diab Building Company, and it appears that that
company experienced difficulty in obtaining contracts. Through the influence of
the defendant, whose company could by that time be regarded as a well
established enterprise, the plaintiff’s company obtained various building
contracts.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The
plaintiff alleged that some time in April 1965, the defendant was in financial
difficulties and he approached the plaintiff for assistance. The plaintiff gave
him the required assistance in the sum of £G2,506 12s. 6d. which is equivalent
to ¢5,013.25. The defendant prepared a promissory note acknowledging his
indebtedness and promised to repay the said debt within two months from 15
April 1965. The note was duly stamped. But on the due date the defendant failed
to honour his promise and for more than two years he could not pay the amount
or any part thereof. So on 27 February 1968, the plaintiff caused the present
writ to be issued.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The
defendant admitted that he prepared the said promissory note, but contended
that there was no consideration for it. He said after his introduction to the
plaintiff, the plaintiff became his business associate. Consequently, the
defendant, for reasons not clear from his evidence, could cause moneys due to
the defendant from other persons to be paid into the plaintiff’s banking
account; and whenever the defendant needed those moneys the plaintiff would
readily withdraw some for the defendant. The defendant said he executed
building contracts for the erstwhile Ideological Institute, Winneba, and for
Flagstaff House; and he directed the proceeds from those contracts to be paid
into the banking account of the plaintiff. Payment was duly made and the
plaintiff received the money on the defendant’s behalf, with the usual
understanding that the plaintiff was to keep the money but to pay it over to
the defendant on demand.<o:p></o:p>