INTERIM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE APOSTOLIC DIVINE CHURCH OF GHANA vs. INTERIM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND OTHERS [1984]DLSC927

INTERIM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE APOSTOLIC DIVINE CHURCH OF GHANA vs. INTERI... [1984]DLSC927

Date	1984-04-13
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1984]DLSC927

ASARE-KWAPONG J

D Y OSEI (WITH HIM OPPONG-ADJEI) FOR THE PLAINTIFF-APPLICANTS.

ASANTE FOSUHENE FOR THE DEFENDANT-RESPONDENTS.

[1984]DLSC927
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" ><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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INTERIM EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE OF THE APOSTOLIC DIVINE CHURCH OF GHANA <o:p></o:p>

{SUPREME COURT, ACCRA} <o:p></o:p>

[1984-86] 2 GLR 175<o:p></o:p>

DATE:
13 APRIL 1984<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>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">

D Y OSEI (WITH HIM OPPONG-ADJEI) FOR THE
PLAINTIFF-APPLICANTS. <o:p></o:p>

ASANTE FOSUHENE FOR THE DEFENDANT-RESPONDENTS.<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">

ASARE-KWAPONG J<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT OF ASARE-KWAPONG J.<o:p></o:p>In this
case, the plaintiff-applicants are claiming against the defendant-respondents a
declaration that the purported revocation and dissolution or both of the
interim executive committee of the Apostolic Divine Church of Ghana is null and
void and of no effect. They further asked for a declaration, among other
reliefs, that the emergency delegates’ conference held at Takorawase on 7
August 1982 was unauthorised and should be declared null and void. To establish
the status quo ante, the plaintiff-applicants (hereinafter called and referred
to as the plaintiffs) applied to this court for an interim injunction
restraining the defendant-respondents (hereinafter called and referred to as
the defendants), from carrying out any functions and/or undertaking to
administer and manage the affairs of the Apostolic Divine Church and/or
usurping the rights and functions of the plaintiffs, the supreme governing body
of the church. The motion was accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the
secretary of the plaintiffs.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Paragraph
2 of the affidavit stated that on or about 30 January 1984 the plaintiffs filed
a writ of summons against the defendants claiming as per the writ of summons.
Paragraph 4 stated that some of the defendants defected from the plaintiff
committee without assigning any reasons for their resignation to form the
interim executive council to bring a split and/or division in the church.
Paragraph 5 alleged that the action of the defendants had caused ill-feeling
and dissatisfaction in the church and tempers have soared so high that if the
defendants are not restrained their behaviour may result in a great conflict
and breach of the peace.<o:p></o:p>The
defendants resisted the plaintiffs’ claim and stated that the plaintiffs had no
legal personality and therefore lacked the capacity to bring this action. In
paragraph 5 of their statement of defence, the defendants stated that since the
interim executive committee elected on 19 April 1980 was dissolved on 7 August
1982, there had not been any ill-feeling or dissatisfaction among the members
of the church to justify an injunction being granted against the defendants.
They claimed that on 4 March 1983 the High Court, Accra granted an interim
injunction against Apostle Charles Duodu, spiritual head-chairman, his servants
and agents from doing certain specified acts in suit No 73/82. It was further
stated in paragraph 7 of their statement of defence that the injunction granted
by the High Court, Accra had been religiously obeyed and that no new situation
had arisen to justify the grant of a new injunction against the defendants who
were agents and servants of the church.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Counsel
for the plaintiffs in his argument told the court that on 19 April 1980 the
plaintiff committee was appointed at an emergency delegates’ conference of the
church under the chairmanship of Apostle Duodu. The plaintiff committee’s terms
of reference were as follows:<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">&nbsp;(a) To prepare agenda for general church
meetings;<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) To control all church
finances and properties;<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">(c) To act in a general advisory
capacity;<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">(d) to be responsible, when
necessary, for interpreting decisions of the delegates’ conference to the
protem secretary and giving him instructions as to the mode of carrying them
out from time to time;<o:p></o:p>