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BENNEH v. THE REPUBLIC AND ANOTHER

1971

COURT OF APPEAL

GHANA

CORAM

  • KOI LARBI
  • ANIN JJ.S.C.
  • LASSEY J.A

Areas of Law

  • Civil Procedure
  • Constitutional Law

AI Generated Summary

The Court of Appeal of Ghana, per Koi Larbi J.S.C. reading for himself and Anin J.S.C., dismissed the appeal of Isaac William Benneh from Aboagye J.’s High Court ruling. Benneh sought to restrain the Republic of Ghana and its agents from executing an “Entry of Judgment” purportedly grounded in the Investigation and Forfeiture of Assets (Further Investigation of Commissions Findings) (No. 3) Decree, 1969 (N.L.C.D. 400), alleging the decree contravened articles 12 and 18 of the 1969 Constitution. While the High Court had dismissed for lack of jurisdiction under article 2(1), the Court of Appeal affirmed dismissal on a different ground: the State Proceedings Act, 1961 (Act 51) sections 13(1)(a) and 13(2) bar injunctive relief against the Republic and its servants. Applying the general rule against issuing orders that cannot be enforced and relying on Levandowsky v. Attorney-General, the court held the High Court could not grant the sole relief sought. Lassey J.A dissented, arguing article 28 vested jurisdiction in the High Court.

JUDGMENT