EWUSIE-MENSAH vs. EWUSIE-MENSAH AND ANOTHER [1992]DLHC2013

Date	1992-03-10
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1992]DLHC2013

SAPONG J.

NII OSAH-MILLS FOR THE DEFENDANT-APPLICANT

E. F. SHORT FOR THE PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT.

[1992]DLHC2013
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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:#00B0F0">EWUSIE-MENSAH<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:#00B0F0">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:#00B0F0">EWUSIE-MENSAH AND ANOTHER<o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT, CAPE COAST]<o:p></o:p>[1992] 1 GLR 271<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">

<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:right;
mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Date: 10 MARCH
1992<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:<o:p></o:p>NII OSAH-MILLS FOR THE DEFENDANT-APPLICANT<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">

E. F. SHORT FOR THE PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT. <o:p></o:p>

</div>JUDGMENT OF SAPONG J.<o:p></o:p>The plaintiff had closed his case. The defendant was being
cross-examined. In the course of the cross-examination, learned counsel for the
defence filed a motion under Order 32, r. 6 of the High Court (Civil Procedure)
Rules, 1954 (L.N. 140A) for an order to sign final judgment upon admissions
made by the plaintiff in the pleadings and during the trial.<o:p></o:p>Paragraphs (2), (3) and (5) of the supporting affidavit read:<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) I am advised by counsel and verily believe same to be true
that the plaintiff has in examination-in-chief on oath as well as during
cross-examination admitted the reliefs sought by the co-defendant in paragraphs
(14), (24) and (27) (d) of the statement of defence and counterclaim filed on
14 March 1991. <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) I verily believe that the plaintiff made these admissions on 2
May 1991. The plaintiff also makes part admission in this respect in paragraph
(15) of his reply filed on 4 April 1991 . . .<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;(5) There are compelling
reasons why the honourable court ought to give judgment now in respect of the
admissions. The items in the plaintiff’s possession are definitely
deteriorating almost daily and are urgently required by the defendant and
co-defendant. The pick-up No. ARB 820 cannot be used until the key is
returned.”<o:p></o:p>Counsel contends further that paragraph (3) of the affidavit in
opposition filed on 11 February 1992 is in contempt of this court and was made
in bad faith.<o:p></o:p>Learned counsel for the plaintiff says the application before the
court is irregular and totally misconceived. He maintains that the plaintiff
has not made any admissions as deposed to in the said paragraph (2) of the
supporting affidavit. He seriously contends that an application under Order 32,
r. 6 of L.N. 140A cannot be founded on evidence given on oath during trial but
on pleadings. The “otherwise” in Order 32, r. 6 of L.N. 140A cannot be
interpreted to mean evidence given during trial. Further, the evidence being
dwelt upon should have been exhibited. This was not done.<o:p></o:p>Paragraph (14) of the defence and counterclaim has been denied.
Order 32, r. 6 of L.N. 140A provides that:<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">“6. Any party may at any stage of a cause or matter, where
admissions of facts have been made, either on the pleadings, or otherwise,
apply to the Court or a Judge for such judgment or order as upon such admissions
he may be entitled to, without waiting for the determination of any other
question between the parties; and the Court or a Judge may upon such
application make such order, or give such judgment, as the Court or Judge may
think just.”<o:p></o:p>It will be of interest to understand “at any stage” and “or
otherwise” in Order 32, r. 6 of L.N. 140A.<o:p></o:p>I will first deal with “at any stage” A plaintiff may move for
judgment on admissions in the defence at any stage in the action and
notwithstanding that he has joined issue on the defence, and given notice of
trial: see Brown v. Pearson (1882) 21 Ch.D. 716. But where a plaintiff had,
before notice of the motion, delivered a reply, a motion by the defendant
hereunder was refused: see Graves v. Terry (1882) 9 Q.B. D170.<o:p></o:p>Now, “or otherwise”. These words are not confined to admissions
made under rules 1 and 4 of Order 32 of L.N. 140A but are of general
application, and justify the making or giving of a</main>