2012
SUPREME COURT
CORAM
AI Generated Summary
The case revolves around a property auction resulting from a judgment debt. The courts found the debt was paid before the auction, rendering the auction void. Irregularities in the bail bond questioned the legitimacy of the sureties. The amended judgment entry lacked proper procedural steps, affirming the void nature of the auctioned property.
ANIN YEBOAH, JSC;
The facts of this appeal appear not to be in serious controversy. One Samuel Nii Otoo Ankrah commenced an action against one Joshua Kpakpo Allotey at the High Court, Accra. Before the case could be disposed of the plaintiff Samuel Nii Otoo Ankrah applied for absconding warrant against the said Joshua Kpakpo Allotey as he had information that he was preparing to leave the jurisdiction. It was granted by Her Ladyship Justice Emelia Aryee.
The claim was for refund of an amount of US$8, 850. The defendant in that case was arrested with the warrant and was granted bail in the sum of ¢1,500,000.00 with two sureties.
Two persons namely: Eugene Darko Amoako and Benjamin Akwei Allotey executed bail bonds as sureties for Joshua Kpakpo Allotey. The two bail bonds were tendered in evidence at the trial court in this case. The two sureties were named in exhibits F1 and F2. Exhibit F was the bail bond while exhibits F1 and F2 were the justification of sureties’ forms. Exhibit F2 which was executed on the 3/12/1987 the same day exhibits F and F1 were executed, was amended by the cancellation of the name and residential address of Benjamin Akwei Allotey and the insertion thereof of the name of ADJIN OKWABI with his residential address. There were other serious irregularities bordering on the thumbprint affixed to exhibit F2 and signature of Benjamin Akwei Allotey which was made before the purported amendment.
It was apparent that even though the name Benjamin Akwei Allotey was cancelled, his signature as one of the two sureties stood. Be that as it may, the case against the said Joshua Kpakpo Allotey ended with a summary judgment by which the defendant in that suit Joshua Kpakpo Allotey was adjudged to pay an amount of ¢2,508,903.28 inclusive of interest and cost.
In the process of levying execution of the judgment against Joshua Kpakpo Allotey, H/№ B182/12 Odorkor, Accra owned by Adjin Okwabi at the time was sold at a public auction and purchased by one B.N.AKOWUAH who is the appellant in this appeal. The respondent herein who described herself as the beneficiary of the property sold at the auction brought an action at the High Court, Accra to set aside the writ of possession which culminated in the sale, declaration of title and recovery of possession of the auctioned house and other ancillary reliefs.
The statement of claim and the evidence led appeared to be very brief. In the statement of claim the respondent herein pleaded that in suit number