DOMINION INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM LTD. vs MIMSHACH ENERGY & 2 ORS [2023]DLHC16253

Date	2023-07-31
Suit No.	SUIT NO. CM/RPC/1187/2019
Citation No.	[2023]DLHC16253

HIS LORDSHIP FRANCIS OBIRI J

GIDEON GABOR

ASSAD GBADEGBE

RACHEAL ANTWIWAA INTSIFUL

E. A. VORDOAGU

[2023]DLHC16253
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DOMINION INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM
LTD.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (PLAINTIFF)<o:p></o:p>&nbsp; vs<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; MIMSHACH
ENERGY &amp; 2 ORS<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;
(DEFENDANTS)<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; [HIGH
COURT OF JUSTICE, COMMERCIAL DIVISION 2, ACCRA]<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;<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>COUNSEL<o:p></o:p>GIDEON
GABOR HOLDING BRIEF FOR ASSAD GBADEGBE FOR PLAINTIFF/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;">

RACHEAL
ANTWIWAA INTSIFUL HOLDING BRIEF FOR E. A. VORDOAGU FOR THE 1st
DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM<o:p></o:p>HIS LORDSHIP FRANCIS
OBIRI, 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="text-align:center;line-height:150%;
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">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p>

</div>I have listened to the
submissions for and against the application for summary judgment filed by the Plaintiff/Applicant
(hereinafter called the Applicant) on 6th April, 2023 against the 1st
Defendant/Respondent (hereinafter called the Respondent). I have also gone
through the documents filed in this application for and in opposition. <o:p></o:p>It is trite law, that
summary judgment can be granted in whole or in part in respect of Plaintiff
claim against a Defendant.<o:p></o:p>Summary judgment is
granted where the Defendant defence does not disclose reasonable or legal
defence. Therefore, the filing of statement of defence by a Defendant does not
preclude the Court from granting summary judgment if no triable defence has
been set up in the statement of defence.<o:p></o:p>See: SANUNU v SALIFU [2009] SCGLR 586<o:p></o:p>ATLANTA TIMBER COMPANY v VICTORIA TIMBER COMPANY
LIMITED [1962] 1 GLR 221<o:p></o:p>Summary judgment when
granted can terminate the trial either in whole or in part. Therefore, before
it is granted, the court must ensure, that it has merit. This is because, once
it is granted, it will terminate the formal hearing of the case either in whole
or in part.<o:p></o:p>See: ASAMOAH v MARFO [2011] 2 SCGLR 832<o:p></o:p>Again, if a Defendant is
not able to set up a legal defence, then that should entitle the Plaintiff to
obtain summary judgment against the Defendant.<o:p></o:p>See: YARTEL BOAT BUILDING COMPANY v ANNAN [1991] 2 GLR 11<o:p></o:p>In this case, the
Applicant averred in paragraph 11 of its statement of claim, that the
Respondent owes it GH¢6,639,607.82. The Respondent in response to this
allegation by the Applicant pleaded in its defence, that it has to go into
accounts with the Applicant. The Applicant attached as exhibit TK4 a letter
from the General Manager of the Respondent. It is dated 11th July,
2019.<o:p></o:p>It has been signed by the
General Manager of the Respondent. There is no indication that it was obtained
by recourse to fraud or undue influence or duress or any of the factors which
can vitiate a valid contract. The letter was addressed to the Applicant herein.
<o:p></o:p>In the said letter, the
Respondent’s General Manager, admitted that the Respondent had accepted a debt
of GH¢5,434,662.48 owed to the Applicant.&nbsp;
There is no indication that the debt has been paid. <o:p></o:p>I am therefore of the
view, that the Respondent is estopped by its conduct under section 26 of NRCD
323 from denying the debt it admit</main>