HOWARD GOLLOMP vs. STANDARD CHARTERED BANK [2013]DLHC12102

Date	2013-10-30
Suit No.	SUIT NO. FTR/105/13
Citation No.	[2013]DLHC12102

HIS LORDSHIP JUSTICE JOHN AJET-NASAM

FREDERRICK ASAMOAH FOR PLAINTIFF/RESPONDENT

PATRICK ANIM ADDO WITH YAW ESHUN FOR THE 5TH DEFENDANT/APPLICANT

[2013]DLHC12102
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >HOWARD GOLLOMP<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF/RESPONDANT)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>STANDARD CHARTERED BANK<o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANT/APPLICANT)<o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT, ACCRA]<o:p></o:p><div style="border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 1.5pt; border-bottom-color: windowtext; padding: 0cm 0cm 1pt;">

SUIT NO. FTR/105/13&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: 30TH&nbsp;APRIL 2013<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL&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; <o:p></o:p><div style="border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 1.5pt; border-bottom-color: windowtext; padding: 0cm 0cm 1pt;">

</div>CORAM<o:p></o:p>HIS
LORDSHIP JUSTICE JOHN AJET-NASAM<o:p></o:p><div style="border-top-width: 1.5pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-left: none; border-bottom-width: 1.5pt; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-right: none; padding: 1pt 0cm;">

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:center;border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0cm;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 0cm 1.0pt 0cm">RULING<o:p></o:p>

</div>On the 20/03/2013,
learned counsel for the 5th defendant filed this motion, praying
this Court to dismiss plaintiff’s action for illegality under Order 19 r 1 of
CI 47. The said Order reads:<o:p></o:p>1(1) Every
application in pending proceedings shall be made by motion”<o:p></o:p>An affidavit
deposing to the reason for the Court to dismiss the plaintiff’s claim had been
attached to the motion paper. I have observed that, the paragraphs which are
relevant to this motion are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 &amp; 8. I will however repeat them
in extenso.<o:p></o:p>“3” During
cross-examination of the plaintiff witness Stephen Lynn it became abundantly
clear that the plaintiff did not have a valid licence/authorization to deal in
precious minerals and/or diamonds as required by the relevant authorities.<o:p></o:p>“4” The
plaintiff’s witness lame excuse was that he had given money to the purported
seller of the diamonds to secure a licence for the plaintiff.<o:p></o:p>“5” This excuse is
an afterthought and is totally unacceptable because the plaintiff knew or
should have known that there is a requirement to get authorization before
dealing in diamonds in Ghana. I have attached a copy of the requirements of the
Precious Minerals Marketing Company Ltd. which details the requirements for
dealing in precious minerals in Ghana. This is exhibited and marked “YE 1”.<o:p></o:p>“6” The fact of
the plaintiff illegality cannot allow him to seek redress in a Court of Law
after the plaintiff had perpetrated an illegality and fraud. We will rely on
the maxim “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands”. <o:p></o:p>“7” That as this
Honourable Court is established to uphold the laws of Ghana and internationally
accepted laws and regulations. I believe the plaintiff’s claim should fowl by
reason of the illegality referred to.<o:p></o:p>“8” That I will
entreat this Honourable Court to invoke its inherent Jurisdiction to dismiss
the plaintiff’s claim by reason of the illegality”. <o:p></o:p>Upon receipt of
the motion and affidavit in support of the motion. Counsel for the
plaintiff/respondent deposed to an affidavit in opposition. In the said
affidavit in opposition, some paragraphs are very relevant which I would also
like to quote same in extenso. These to me are paragraphs 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13,
14 &amp; 15.<o:p></o:p>“5” That the
application of the 5th defendant is highly misconceived and brought
in bad faith.<o:p></o:p>“6” That the 5th
defendant/applicant has no locus or capacity in bring this application.<o:p></o:p>“9” That paragraph
3 to 5 of the affidavit in support are vehemently denied as a complete
misrepresentation of the evidence of the plaintiff’s witness.<o:p></o:p>“11” That Exhibit
YE1 is completely irrelevant and has no use in the matter.<o:p></o:p>“12” That the
subject matter of this suit relates to the conduct of the 5th
defe</main>