DANIEL ARMOOH v. HFC BANK GHANA LIMITED

The High Court, per His Lordship Justice Kweku T. Ackaah-Boafo, adjudicated a civil suit brought by Daniel Kwame A. Armooh against HFC Bank Ghana Limited (now Republic Bank) for unlawful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, wrongful dismissal, emotional distress, and loss of economic/professional opportunity. Armooh, a clerk employed in February 2008, was interdicted in August 2009 during a fraud investigation tied to Dodico Limited and dismissed in September 2009 while criminal charges were pending. During the pendency of the criminal case, the bank published disclaimers with Armooh’s photograph in two national newspapers. Armooh was acquitted and discharged in 2012. The court held the bank did not instigate the prosecution; however, the dismissal was wrongful because misconduct was not proven and fair procedures were not followed. The disclaimers were unjustified and aimed at undermining Armooh’s reputation, warranting damages for emotional distress but not economic loss. The court awarded GH¢15,000 for wrongful dismissal, GH¢15,000 for the publications, costs of GH¢12,000, and granted the bank’s counterclaim for interest on the staff loan until final payment.