The High Court in Accra has recently made a significant ruling in a case involving Nowak Development Ltd and Oko Nortei Omaboe. The court has found them guilty of contempt of court and has imposed a fine of GHc50,000. In the event of default, they will be required to serve a three-week imprisonment.
The ruling came after the court, presided over by Justice Dr Bridget Kafui Anthonio-Apedzi, determined that the actions of Nowak Development Ltd and Oko Nortei Omaboe regarding a disputed piece of land amounted to a violation of the court's orders.
The case dates back to December 12, 2023, when Life Group of Companies Limited filed a contempt application against Nowak Ltd and Omaboe, seeking their imprisonment for contempt of court. The dispute revolves around a 0.97-acre piece of land, which Life Group of Companies Limited claims to have obtained as a lease for 50 years from the Government of Ghana.
The alleged contemptuous acts relate to the use of the said parcel of land, with the applicant seeking various reliefs, including the cancellation of transactions related to the land and the restoration of the lease.
Furthermore, Nowak's actions, including seeking consent to create a mortgage over the land despite knowledge of the pending injunction application, were deemed contemptuous by the court.
In response, Nowak claimed to have a lease from the Lands Commission for the exclusive use of the land as a multi-storey car park. They asserted that they had not willfully disobeyed any court orders or acted in a manner to bring disrespect to the court.
The court's ruling underscores the importance of upholding court orders and respecting legal processes in matters of land dispute. It serves as a reminder of the consequences that may arise from disregarding the authority of the court.
This case highlights the complexities and legal intricacies involved in land disputes and emphasizes the significance of adherence to legal procedures and court directives. The ruling sets a precedent for upholding the sanctity of court orders and reinforces the principle of respecting legal boundaries in property-related matters.
-source ghanaiantimes | curated by Aisha Yakubu | GhanaCrimes
