OSAMANPA ESTATES LTD vs. MARY OKINE [2019]DLHC9137

Date	2019-05-08
Suit No.	SUIT NO. LD/1100/18
Citation No.	[2019]DLHC9137

HER LADYSHIP JUSTICE BARBARA TETTEH-CHARWAY (MRS)

PROF. PHILIP ANDERSON JNR. FOR PLAINTIFF

[2019]DLHC9137
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >OSAMANPA ESTATES LTD<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>MARY OKINE<o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANT)<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>[HIGH COURT (LAND DIVISION), ACCRA]<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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SUIT
NO. LD/1100/18&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; &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:
8TH MAY, 2019<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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PROF.
PHILIP ANDERSON JNR. FOR PLAINTIFF <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;
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</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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</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>This is an action for declaration of
title to land brought by Osamanpa Estates Ltd against Rose Okine. The Plaintiff
representative testified that she is the Managing Director of Osamanpa Estates
Ltd. The said company, by two Deeds of Assignment, each dated 6th
March 2001, acquired the land in dispute in from Kellyco Estate ltd. The
documents evidencing this acquisition were registered and indexed as AR
5857/2002 covering an acreage of 9.24 acres and AR/5858/2002 covering an
acreage of 3.36 acres respectively. These were tendered in evidence as Exhibits
‘A’ and ‘B’. <o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Plaintiff’s representative further
testified that Plaintiff Company is into real estate development and has been
constructing estates for the past forty years. She claims that the defendant stealthily constructed a
fence wall on Plaintiff’s land. Efforts to trace her have not been successful. Plaintiff’s
representative tendered in evidence Exhibit ‘C’ series that show the wall that
defendant has allegedly constructed on the land in dispute. <o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The
defendant was served with Plaintiff’s writ but failed to file a statement of
defence. A hearing notice was served on defendant but defendant has failed to
show up in Court. The court’s duty to assess the plaintiff’s case on its merits
was not diminished by the failure of the defendant to participate in the trial.
See: Conca Engineering v Moses (1984-86) 1
GLR 319.<o:p></o:p>In an action for declaration of title
to land, the burden is on the Plaintiff to adduce sufficient and credible
evidence to satisfy the Court, on a balance of probabilities, that s/he is
entitled to the relief sought. See Adwubeng vs Domfeh (1996-97) SCGLR
660. <o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>I have examined the documents tendered
in evidence by the Plaintiff, as well as, the photographs showing the wall
erected by the defendant on the land in dispute and I am&nbsp; satisfied that the Plaintiff has proved her
claim on a balance of probabilities.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Judgment entered in favour of Plaintiff.
Damages of three thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢3,000.00) awarded against defendant
for trespass.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Costs of three thousand Ghana cedis
(GH¢3,000.00) awarded against Defendant in favour of Plaintiff.<o:p></o:p>