YAA ANTWI vs. N.T.H.C. [2009]DLSC4807

Date	2009-02-04
Suit No.	CIVIL APPEAL NO. J4/12/2008
Citation No.	[2009]DLSC4807

AKUFFO (MS) PRESIDING

DATE-BAH (DR) JSC

ADINYIRA (MRS) JSC

OWUSU (MS) JSC

DOTSE JSC

BRIGHT OKYERE-AGYEKU FOR THE APPELLANT

DOE TSIKATA FOR THE APPELLANT

[2009]DLSC4807
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >YAA ANTWI<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT/RESPONDENT)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>N.T.H.C.<o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT/APPELLANT)<o:p></o:p>[SUPREME
COURT, ACCRA]<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">

CIVIL APPEAL NO. J4/12/2008&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;DATE: 4TH FEBRUARY,
2009.<o:p></o:p>

DOE
TSIKATA FOR THE APPELLANT<o:p></o:p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:115%;
border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:
solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p>

</div>DR. DATE-BAH JSC: <o:p></o:p>This
case calls for resort to the basic analytical tools for determining the
formation of contracts, including offer, invitation to treat, acceptance and
intention to create legal relations, which are to be found set out in the
earlier chapters of textbooks, and practice books, on the law of contract.&nbsp; To our mind, the outcome from the application
of those tools is clear and self-evident.&nbsp;
We are, thus, surprised that this case has had to travel this far for
its resolution.<o:p></o:p>The
plaintiff at one time worked for the defendant as head of its Legal
Department.&nbsp; Whilst still in its
employment, she received the following letter from the defendant.<o:p></o:p>“17 January 2005<o:p></o:p>Ms. Yaa Antwi<o:p></o:p>NTHC Limited<o:p></o:p>ACCRA<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Dear Madam<o:p></o:p>OFFER FOR SALE – HOUSE NO. 4 PLATEAU
CLOSE<o:p></o:p>EAST LEGON EXTENSION<o:p></o:p>The Board of Directors at the
emergency Board meeting held on Friday, 31 December 2004 proposed to sell the
Company’s houses being occupied by the Management Staff.<o:p></o:p>In this regard, you are being given
the first offer to purchase the above-mentioned house at the cost price of US
$70,307 or its Cedi equivalent.&nbsp; Payment
shall be within 6 months.<o:p></o:p>If you are interested, you are to
indicate, in writing, to the undersigned by Monday, 31 January 2005.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Yours faithfully<o:p></o:p>Gladys A. Odoi (Ms)<o:p></o:p>Board Secretary<o:p></o:p>Cc Managing Director”<o:p></o:p>The
plaintiff, in reply to this letter, stated in a letter dated 31st January, 2005
that:<o:p></o:p>“I
refer to the offer by the Board to sell the above-referenced house to me as
contained in your letter of January 17, 2005 referenced NTHC/ADMI/GEN/.<o:p></o:p>I
accept the offer to purchase House No. 4 Plateau Close at the cost price of US
$ 70,307 or its cedis equivalent and to make payment within the stipulated 6
months.<o:p></o:p>It
would be greatly appreciated if details of bank accounts into which payment may
be made are provided for the benefit of the house loan company.”<o:p></o:p>There
was no further correspondence between the parties until the dispatch of the
following letter, dated 7th November, 2005 by the defendant to the plaintiff:<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>