The Accra Circuit Court has ordered a businessman in his 60s to pay GHC200,000 in compensation to his former lover in a case of breach of promise to marry.The case, which started as a suit for an ejectment order against the woman, ended with the court finding a breach of promise to marry and the imposition of a constructive trust over an East Legon property.
The case, presided over by Justice Sedinam Kwadam, detailed a dispute stemming from an 11-year amorous relationship between 2013 and 2024. The businessman had sued his former lover, seeking an order to eject her from a two-bedroom apartment within a six-unit property owned by the plaintiff at East Legon. According to evidence before the court, the property was not completed when the relationship began.
The defendant actively supervised and managed the construction of the six-unit property while the plaintiff, who was not resident in Ghana, remitted money for the project.
Upon completion, the plaintiff asked the defendant to move into one of the two-bedroom units in 2017. He later joined her upon his return to the country. In response to the suit against her, the defendant filed a countersuit, claiming that the businessman had promised to marry her. She told the court that the promise caused her to leave her residence in Dansoman and fully commit to the relationship.
As part of her evidence before the court, the defendant indicated that the plaintiff was listed as an in-law during her father’s funeral. He also contributed financially and wrote a tribute.
She further noted that he gave her a ring and appointed her to act as a foreman on the construction project of his six-unit house for about four years.
As part of the reliefs she sought:
· US$40,000 for breach of promise to marry
· The right to remain in the two-bedroom unit
· Retention of a Toyota RAV4, allegedly purchased for her
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In delivering her judgement, Justice Kwadam, a High Court judge with additional responsibility as a Circuit Court judge, indicated that, based on the evidence before the court, there was indeed a promise to marry.
Credit: peacefmonline.com
