THE REPUBLIC vs. HIGH COURT, ACCRA EX-PARTE NII NUEH ODONKOR [2014]DLSC2930

Date	2014-07-22
Suit No.	CIVIL APPEAL NO.J5/26/2014
Citation No.	[2014]DLSC2930

W.A.ATUGUBA JSC (PRESIDING)

J.V.M.DOTSE JSC

N.S. GBADEGBE JSC

A. A. BENIN JSC

J. B. AKAMBA JSC

HON. ALEXANDER KWAMENA AFENYO MARKIN ESQ. WITH HIM MISS

BERNINA KORKOR OKUTU FOR THE APPLICANT.

JACQUELINE AVOTRI FOR THE 1ST INTERESTED PARTY.

ERNEST OSEI-AFFUL FOR THE 3RD INTERESTED PARTY.

[2014]DLSC2930
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >THE REPUBLIC<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>HIGH COURT,
ACCRA<o:p></o:p>EX-PARTE NII
NUEH ODONKOR<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.J5/26/2014&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;DATE: 22ND
JULY, 2014<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <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">

HON.
ALEXANDER KWAMENA AFENYO MARKIN ESQ. WITH HIM MISS BERNINA KORKOR OKUTU FOR THE
APPLICANT.<o:p></o:p>

JACQUELINE
AVOTRI FOR THE 1ST INTERESTED PARTY.<o:p></o:p>

ERNEST
OSEI-AFFUL FOR THE 3RD INTERESTED PARTY.<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">

W.A.ATUGUBA JSC (PRESIDING), J.V.M.DOTSE JSC, N.S.
GBADEGBE JSC, A. A. BENIN JSC, J.&nbsp; B.
AKAMBA JSC<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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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:center;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>ATUGUBA,
JSC (FOR THE MAJORITY)<o:p></o:p>On 22/4/2014 the applicant herein filed
this application seeking:<o:p></o:p>“i.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An order of certiorari to bring up into
this Court for purposes of being quashed the order of the High court (financial
Division) Coram: His Lordship Justice Bright Mensah dated 19th
February, 2013 Seizing and Forfeiting the US 22,480 belonging to the Applicant
lodged in 024204416729501 (USD ACCOUNT) and 0240034416729501 (GHC ACCOUNT) with
the 3rd Respondent to the state.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>ii.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An order of certiorari to bring up into
this Court for the purposes of being quashed the ruling of the High Court Coram
His Lordship Justice Bright Mensah dated 14th March, 2014 dismissing
the Application to set aside the Order of Seizure and Forfeiture of Tainted
Assets.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>iii.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An order of certiorari to bring up into
this Court for the purposes of being quashed the order confirming the
continuous freezing of the account of the Applicant held with the 3rd
Respondent dated 23rd February, 2013.”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>There is some fluctuation as to dates.&nbsp; Whilst the applicant dates the first order
sought to be quashed the 19th February 2013, the 1st
respondent dates it the 19th day of February 2012.&nbsp; Similarly while the applicant dates the third
impugned order the 23rd day of February 2013, his exhibit NN01 dates
it the 23rd day of February 2012. It is the latter dates that are
correct.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>In any case it is quite clear that this
application has been brought not less than one year after the occurrence of the
relevant events called into question by the applicant.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>This court has stated time without number
that the discretionary nature of the remedy of certiorari is not prejudiced by
the incidence of nullity of the proceedings sought to be quashed.&nbsp; This principle has recently been emphasized
in The Republic v 1. The High Court,
Accra 2. Nana Yaa Konadu Exparte Alhaji Abdul Rashid, CM J5/13/2014 dated
13/2/2014, S.C unreported.&nbsp; Perhaps it is
necessary to explain that the mere fact that rules of court on time limits
cannot shut out an application in respect of proceedings that are a nullity
does not mean the relief sought will be granted pro tanto. The discret</main>