BRIGHT DADZIE vs. MARGARET FOSUWAA @EKUA FOSUWAA [2021]DLHC11623

Date	2021-12-22
Suit No.	SUIT NO: E11/8/21
Citation No.	[2021]DLHC11623

HIS LORDSHIP JUSTICE DR. RICHMOND OSEI-HWERE J.

DAVID OWUSU TACHIE ESQ FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT/APPLICANT.

EBO DONKOR ESQ FOR THE DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT/RESPONDENT.

[2021]DLHC11623
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >BRIGHT DADZIE<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>MARGARET FOSUWAA @EKUA FOSUWAA<o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANT)<o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT, SEKONDI]<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;">

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
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padding:0cm;mso-padding-alt:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm">SUIT NO: E11/8/21&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:
22ND DECEMBER, 2021<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL<o:p></o:p>DAVID
OWUSU TACHIE ESQ FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT/APPLICANT.<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;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:
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padding:0cm;mso-padding-alt:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm">EBO DONKOR ESQ, FOR THE
DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT/RESPONDENT.<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM<o:p></o:p>HIS
LORDSHIP JUSTICE DR. RICHMOND OSEI-HWERE J. <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;
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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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This
is an application for relistment of an Appeal struck out by this Court differently
constituted on 4th March, 2021 for want of prosecution. The Appeal
was against the judgment of the District Court, Takoradi dated 26th November,
2018.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
Appellant/Applicant is praying this Court to relist the suit as his appeal has
a high chance of success.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Respondent
is opposed to the application.&nbsp; It is her
case that the applicant has been tardy in pursuing the appeal.&nbsp; That the appeal was struck out on 14th
March, 2021 and the application for relistment comes nine (9) months after the
appeal had been struck out.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In
an application to relist a suit that has been struck out for want of
prosecution, the court is minded to grant the application where a party has
given a reasonable explanation for his absence in court and has shown
considerable remorse and prays to be admitted and have the case heard on its
merit. The court in granting the application may impose cost to appease the
other party.&nbsp; Remorsefulness of the
Applicant can be inferred from the timeous manner with which the application to
relist the suit is filed and pursued.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In
the instant case, the striking out of the appeal was by Applicant’s own showing
made known to him on the very day of the order of the court i.e.
04/03/2021.&nbsp; By his affidavit evidence,
the case had been struck out when they (he and his lawyer) arrived at the
court.&nbsp; This court has also taken note of
the fact that the judgment complained of was delivered on 26/11/2018 and that
the Notice of Appeal was filed on 25/01/2019. The Appellant/Applicant went to
sleep and the Respondent had to file at the District Court a Motion on Notice
to Vacate the order for Stay of Execution and to strike out the Notice of
Appeal before the Applicant caused the record of appeal to be transmitted to
the High Court and the Appeal was finally slated for hearing on the said
04/03/2021. And after the appeal was struck out for want of prosecution, it
took Applicant Nine (9) months to file this application.&nbsp; Applicant does not come across as someone who
has shown remorse and is serious with the pursuit of the appeal.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inasmuch
as the court upholds the principle of fair hearing, it is important for the
court to ensure that parties and counsel are diligent in the prosecution of
their cases to forestall the incidence of congestion of cases in our courts.&nbsp; Applicant had a duty to prosecute his appeal
in a timely manner.&nbsp; So far, the Applicant
has acted with nonchalance and has himself to blame if indeed his appeal was
filed in good faith. Per the Applicant’s conduct, he has divested himself from
any sympathetic consideration.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Consequently,
I am unable to exercise any discretion in his favour.&nbsp; I therefore dismiss the application for
relistment of his appeal as same is unmeritorious<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There
is no Order as to cost. <o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; DR. RICHMOND OSEI-HWERE<o:p></o:p>JUSTICE OF THE HIGH COURT<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>&nbsp;

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