CHARLES MATE KOLE AND NENE AZAGO KWESITSU vs. THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL [2012]DLSC2657

CHARLES MATE KOLE AND NENE AZAGO KWESITSU vs. THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND THE A... [2012]DLSC2657

Date	2012-06-12
Suit No.	CIVIL APPEAL NO. J1/4/2011
Citation No.	[2012]DLSC2657

DATE-BAH JSC (PRESIDING)

MR. NKRABEAH EFFAH-DARTEY WITH HIM K. T. K. AGBAN FOR THE CO-DEFENDANTS/APPLICANTS.

GODFREY YEBOAH DAME FOR THE PLAINTIFFS/RESPONDENTS.

JAMES QUASHIE-IDUN WITH HIM ANTHONY DABI FOR THE 1ST DEFENDANT /RESPONDENT.

[2012]DLSC2657
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >CHARLES MATE KOLE AND
NENE AZAGO KWESITSU<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;[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. J1/4/2011&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DATE: 12TH JUNE, 2012<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:<o:p></o:p>MR. NKRABEAH EFFAH-DARTEY
WITH HIM K. T. K. AGBAN FOR THE CO-DEFENDANTS/APPLICANTS.<o:p></o:p>GODFREY YEBOAH DAME FOR
THE PLAINTIFFS/RESPONDENTS. <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">

JAMES
QUASHIE-IDUN WITH HIM ANTHONY DABI FOR THE 1ST DEFENDANT /RESPONDENT.<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 1.0pt 0in">

DATE-BAH
JSC (PRESIDING) <o:p></o:p>

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

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>DR.
DATE-BAH JSC:<o:p></o:p>I have carefully
considered the co-defendant’s motion for leave to file a counter-claim in this
case together with his supporting affidavit and statement of case.&nbsp; I have also taken into account the affidavit
in opposition filed by Nene Azako Kwesitsu, the Second Plaintiff herein, and
the oral arguments submitted on behalf of both the plaintiffs, the co-defendant
and the first defendant.&nbsp; Relying on
these submissions, I have come to the conclusion that the application for leave
to file a counter-claim has come too late to succeed.<o:p></o:p>The substantive case has
already been adjourned for judgment and the co-defendant has made no effort to
arrest the judgment which is due to be read tomorrow.&nbsp; Furthermore, the nature of the counter-claim
that the co-defendant intends to file does not at first sight appear to raise a
matter within the exclusive original jurisdiction of this Court.<o:p></o:p>In paragraph 11 of Nene
Titriku I’s affidavit in support of the motion for leave, he deposes as
follows:<o:p></o:p>“In the circumstances, beyond LI 1983,
whether it is good or bad law, we want leave to file a Counter Claim praying
this Court for a declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of PNDC
Law 26 as amended by PNDC Law 28, Akuse which means the six Electoral Areas as
delineated in LI 1983 ought to be part and parcel of Dangbe West District and
that the LI which put Akuse under the Manya Krobo District Assembly was bad
law.”<o:p></o:p>This deposition does not,
with respect, reveal a valid ground for the exercise of this Court’s original
jurisdiction, since the need for statutory, in contradistinction from
constitutional, interpretation does not trigger this court’s original
jurisdiction and is thus a further reason for not entertaining this application
for leave to file a counter-claim at this late stage in this case.<o:p></o:p>The application for leave
is accordingly dismissed.&nbsp; This dismissal
is, of course, without prejudice to the merits of the substance of the
counter-claim the co-defendant wishes to bring.&nbsp;
He is free now to consider the appropriate forum for seeking redress on
the substance of his claim.<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; DR. S. K. DATE-BAH<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; JUSTICE
OF THE SUPREME COURT<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></main>