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Citation
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Judgment date
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| April 2025 |
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Court orders replacement of improper roofing sheets and awards damages for contract breach.
Contract Law - Sale of Goods - Breach of Contract - Specific Performance - Damages Assessment - Seller's Obligation
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30 April 2025 |
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Possession of recently stolen goods without a satisfactory explanation supports conviction for dishonestly receiving under Act 29.
Criminal law – Dishonestly receiving (s.147 Act 29) – Doctrine of recent possession – Burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt – Satisfactory explanation from accused – Characterisation of goods as scrap.
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30 April 2025 |
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Accused acquitted where prosecution failed to prove dishonest appropriation of funds for engine purchase beyond reasonable doubt.
Criminal law – Stealing – elements: appropriation, dishonesty, non‑ownership; Burden of proof – prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt; Defence may rebut by raising reasonable doubt; Evidentiary sufficiency – verification of vendor payments and credibility of receipts; Civil remedy available for recovery of disputed funds.
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30 April 2025 |
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The plaintiff proved title and possession; the defendants' occupation was trespass, warranting recovery, injunction and damages.
Land law – declaration of title – proof of root of title and mode of acquisition by deed of indenture – registration at Land Title Registry – proof of possession and development – trespass by occupiers – procedural consequence of non-attendance (striking out defence) – remedies: declaration, injunction, recovery of possession, damages.
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29 April 2025 |
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Marriage dissolved for unreasonable behaviour and irreconcilable differences after respondent’s default and customary dissolution.
Matrimonial Causes Act 1971 (Act 367) – breakdown beyond reconciliation – unreasonable behaviour (s.2(1)(b)) – irreconcilable differences/customary dissolution (s.2(1)(f)) – default judgment where respondent fails to appear or challenge evidence.
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29 April 2025 |
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Prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that accused committed defilement; accused acquitted.
Criminal law - defilement - burden of proof - alibi defense - failure to investigate alibi - material witness
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29 April 2025 |
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Accused convicted of conspiracy and human trafficking; sentenced to concurrent nine‑year terms and victims compensated.
Criminal law – Human trafficking and conspiracy – recruitment, transportation and induced prostitution – admissibility and weight of caution/charge statements – jurisdiction over non‑citizens under Courts Act – sentencing for deterrence.
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29 April 2025 |
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Court convicts accused of defilement and assault, imposing 17 years imprisonment, orders psychological counselling for child victim.
Criminal Law – Defilement under 16 – Assault causing harm – Evidence required for conviction – Sentencing considerations in defilement cases, including victim's age and accused's relationship to the victim.
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29 April 2025 |
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Whether an implied retrieval duty absolves the respondent who retained and used the applicant's hired equipment beyond contract.
Contract law – hire of goods – oral agreement – implied term regarding retrieval of hired equipment – retention and use after expiry constitutes breach – distinction between bailment and hire – assessment of general damages and post‑judgment interest.
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28 April 2025 |
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Court dismisses no case submission; accused must open defense in fraudulent breach of trust case.
Criminal law - Fraudulent breach of trust - Submission of no case - Prima facie evidence.
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28 April 2025 |
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Judgment on admission granted where respondent’s partial admissions and conduct established liability to refund GH¢50,000.
Civil procedure – Order 23 Rule 1 CI 47 – Judgment on admission – Partial admissions in pleadings and conduct may justify judgment on admission; partnership/agency inferred from conduct; award of principal, interest and costs.
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25 April 2025 |
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Respondent's sublease expired; court ordered eviction, mesne profits and costs against the respondent.
Land law — lease/sublease — expiry and alleged extension; burden of proof on party asserting extension; mesne profits and eviction; evidence and documentary proof.
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25 April 2025 |
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Desertion proven; marriage dissolved; mother awarded custody; absent father ordered to pay children's maintenance and school fees.
Family law – Matrimonial Causes Act 1971 (Act 367) – Desertion as ground for dissolution; default evidence where respondent fails to appear; custody and maintenance – best interests of the child (Children’s Act, Act 560).
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25 April 2025 |
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The applicant could sue to recover jointly acquired matrimonial property despite documentation being in the deceased husband’s name.
Land and title – Matrimonial property presumed joint where acquired during marriage – Capacity to sue by surviving spouse – Requirement for conclusive proof of sale by deceased – Documentary evidence must specifically describe subject matter – Hearsay evidence about deceased’s transactions accorded little weight – Relief: declaration of title, possession, perpetual injunction, costs, and assessment of rent.
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17 April 2025 |
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Accused acquitted where prosecution’s inconsistent evidence failed to prove fraud by false pretence beyond reasonable doubt.
Criminal law – Defrauding by false pretence – Burden and standard of proof – Material inconsistencies in prosecution evidence – Mobile money transfers – Acquittal where contradictions go to root of case.
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15 April 2025 |
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11 April 2025 |
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Marriage dissolved where respondent’s prolonged refusal of intimacy and medication made cohabitation unreasonable.
Matrimonial Causes Act 1971 (Act 367) – Divorce – Breakdown beyond reconciliation – Unreasonable behaviour (s.2(1)(b)) – Burden and standard of proof (preponderance of probabilities) – Sufficiency of single witness evidence – Effect of respondent’s absence.
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11 April 2025 |
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11 April 2025 |
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Adultery and unreasonable behaviour found to have broken down the marriage; petitioner awarded GHC 40,000 alimony.
Divorce — Matrimonial Causes Act — breakdown beyond reconciliation — adultery and unreasonable behaviour as grounds — proof by witness testimony and admissions — financial relief/alimony for contributing spouse.
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9 April 2025 |
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A written loan agreement ambiguous on currency was construed as Ghc39,000; only agreed interest awarded; counterclaim dismissed.
Contract interpretation – written loan agreement with ambiguous currency notation – parole evidence rule – contra proferentem – enforceability of agreed interest by unlicensed lender – default in payment of monthly interest.
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8 April 2025 |
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Ambiguous written loan construed against the plaintiff; principal found Gh¢39,000 and limited interest awarded.
Contract interpretation — ambiguity in written loan agreement; parole evidence rule and contra proferentem; unlicensed moneylender — enforceability of agreed interest; breach for non‑payment of monthly interest.
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8 April 2025 |
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Accused acquitted of carnal knowledge but convicted of indecent assault of a mentally incapacitated victim.
Criminal law - Sexual offences - Carnal knowledge of a mental patient - Indecent assault - Mental incapacity and consent
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8 April 2025 |
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A family member’s unconsented lease of customary family land is void; plaintiff proved title but not trespass or possession.
• Customary land — family land — requirement of head's authorisation for alienation — disposition without consent void. • Civil procedure — trial in absence of defendant — duty to serve and proceed; plaintiff still bears onus of proof. • Proof of title — identity of land, root of title, mode of acquisition, acts of ownership. • Remedies — declaration of title and expungement of registry entry granted; possession and trespass damages dismissed for lack of proof.
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4 April 2025 |
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A lease by a family member without the family head’s consent is void; title proven, registration must be expunged.
Customary land law – family head’s exclusive authority to alienate family land – disposition by member without head’s authorisation void; proof of title requires identification of land, root of title, mode of acquisition and acts of possession; trial in absence of duly served defendants; requirement of positive evidence for trespass and recovery of possession; Lands Commission ordered to expunge invalid registration.
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4 April 2025 |
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Court found marriage irretrievably broken down, granted divorce and adopted parties’ settlement as consent judgment.
Family law – Divorce – Breakdown beyond reconciliation – Failure to live together for at least two years – Consent to divorce – Adoption of parties’ Terms of Settlement as consent judgment – Cancellation of marriage certificate.
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4 April 2025 |
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Court convicted the first accused of conspiracy and human trafficking, sentencing her to five years' hard labour concurrent.
Criminal law – Human trafficking – Recruitment, transportation and exploitation for induced prostitution; Conspiracy to commit human trafficking; Admissibility and probative value of caution and charge statements; Jurisdiction over non‑citizens; Sentence – concurrent five‑year terms with hard labour.
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2 April 2025 |
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Accused convicted for abetting and conspiring in a premeditated theft based on CCTV, witness ID and recovered exhibits.
Criminal law – Abetment and conspiracy to steal – Evidence: CCTV footage, witness identification, recovered clothing and vehicle disposal – Credibility of inconsistent statements – Sentencing: premeditation, removal of DVR, non‑recovery of proceeds.
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2 April 2025 |
| March 2025 |
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Customary successor has locus to sue; land was sold not leased; trespass awarded general damages and an injunction.
Customary succession — capacity to sue — successor in title may institute action to protect land rights. Conveyance vs lease — burden on defendant to prove alleged 99‑year lease; documentary evidence decisive
Trespass — unlawful sand winning on plaintiff’s land found to be trespass
Damages — specific damages must be proved; general damages may be awarded for trespass. Minerals and Mining law — proceeds from illegal mining are matters for the State; plaintiff cannot recover proceeds as unjust enrichment
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28 March 2025 |
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Accused convicted of conspiracy and robbery; insufficient evidence of offensive weapon use; restitution order issued.
Criminal Law - Conspiracy to commit robbery - Robbery - Stealing - Burden of proof.
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26 March 2025 |
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Court convicted three accused of conspiracy and robbery and one of stealing; weapon use not proven; restitution ordered.
Criminal law – Conspiracy to commit robbery – Robbery – Stealing – Standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt – Admissibility of caution statements – Video evidence corroboration – Insufficient evidence of use of offensive weapon – Restitution order under Act 30 s.147B.
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26 March 2025 |
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Plaintiffs proved title and possession; defendants failed to prove forgery or lawful reversion, so counterclaim dismissed and possession restored.
Land law – customary/stool land – acquisition and development conditions – proof of title and possession on balance of probabilities – allegation of forged land documents – effect of Ghana Highway Authority acquisition/stop-work instruction on development obligations – burden to prove forgery/fraud.
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21 March 2025 |
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Applicants proved title and possession; respondents failed to prove defective documents, so applicants recovered the disputed plots.
Land law – declaration of title and recovery of possession – proof of title, mode of acquisition and possession on balance of probabilities – effect of government stop-work/compulsory acquisition on ownership disputes – burden to prove alleged forged or defective title documents – counterclaim dismissed.
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21 March 2025 |
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Conviction for visa-related fraud; inadmissible uncertified caution/charge statements excluded; restitution and custodial sentence imposed.
Criminal law – Defrauding by false pretence – Elements and proof beyond reasonable doubt; Evidence Act NRCD 323 s.120 – mandatory certification for cautioned/charge statements; exclusion under s.8 – defence of agency/afterthought and burden to raise reasonable doubt.
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20 March 2025 |
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Accused convicted for obtaining GHS30,000 by false pretence of securing a visa; sentenced and ordered to repay.
Criminal law – Fraud by false pretences – Elements: false representation, intent to defraud, obtaining consent to part with property; Evidence Act (NRCD 323) s120 – requirement of independent witness certification for caution/charge statements; s8 – court’s power to exclude inadmissible evidence; Burden and standard of proof – prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt; Defence credibility – afterthought allegations and failure to substantiate third‑party agency; Sentencing and restitution – section 147B Act 30.
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20 March 2025 |
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Accused convicted for obtaining GHS20,000 by false pretence; cautioned statements excluded; sentenced and ordered to refund money.
Criminal law – Defrauding by false pretences – Elements: false representation, obtaining consent, intent to defraud; Evidence Act (NRCD 323) – Admissibility of cautioned/charge statements – section 120 certification requirement – exclusion under section 8; Credibility of defence – afterthought and failure to call material witness; Restitution order under section 147B Act 30
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20 March 2025 |
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The court determined the accused's statements were voluntary and admissible, allowing for cross-examination on disputed content.
Criminal law – Admissibility of confession statements – Voluntariness – Standard of proof required by prosecution.
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12 March 2025 |
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Prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case for conspiracy, abetment and defrauding by false pretences; accused acquitted.
Criminal law – Defrauding by false pretences – elements: false representation, reliance and intention to defraud; Conspiracy – requirement of agreement and common criminal purpose; Abetment – need for evidence of counselling or facilitation; Evidential burden – prosecution must establish prima facie case before accused required to defend; Weight of hearsay/statements of absent but available witnesses; Investigative irregularities and possible interference undermining prosecution case.
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12 March 2025 |
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A 75-year-old man found guilty of defilement, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment; victim was 11 years old.
Criminal law - defilement - proof of age - identification of accused as perpetrator - medical evidence of sexual activity
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11 March 2025 |
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Accused convicted of indecent assault on a minor, sentenced to 24 months imprisonment; psychological counseling recommended for the victim.
Criminal Law - Indecent Assault - Burden and Standard of Proof - Credibility and consistency of victim's evidence - Accused denial and defense.
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11 March 2025 |
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Court rules on judgment by admission and applicable interest rate for US dollar-denominated debt.
Debt recovery – Judgment on admission – Interest rate on US dollar-denominated debts – LIBOR versus local commercial rate.
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10 March 2025 |
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Prosecution's failure to produce material evidence and call witnesses created reasonable doubt, leading to the accused's acquittal.
Criminal law – Causing Harm (s.69 Act 29) – requisite burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt; admissibility and limited weight of caution/charge (unsworn) statements; failure to produce real evidence (knife, blood photographs, medical form); failure to call material witnesses; accused’s silence and inferences.
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10 March 2025 |
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Accused acquitted of causing harm due to insufficient prosecutorial evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.
Criminal Law - Causing Harm - Burden of Proof - Presumption of Innocence - Witness Testimony - Evidential Requirements
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10 March 2025 |
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The applicant was granted sole custody due to her consistent caregiving and the child's welfare needs.
Child custody - Application for sole custody - Welfare of the child as paramount consideration - Best interest principle under the Children’s Act 1998.
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7 March 2025 |
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Petitioner proved respondent’s adultery and verbal abuse; court found marriage irretrievably broken and granted divorce.
Matrimonial Causes Act — divorce on ground of adultery and unreasonable behaviour; burden and standard of proof (preponderance of probabilities); inference of adultery from circumstances; cancellation of marriage certificate; no financial provision ordered.
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7 March 2025 |
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Marriage dissolved for desertion; court adopted parties’ consent settlement on custody, maintenance and alimony.
Matrimonial Causes Act – divorce – desertion and breakdown beyond reconciliation – burden of proof and acceptance of unchallenged evidence – adoption of parties’ terms of settlement as consent judgment – custody, maintenance and alimony.
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5 March 2025 |
| February 2025 |
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Defendants ordered to refund Plaintiff for land purchase and litigation costs due to loss of disputed farmland.
Land law – Acquisition of land – Misrepresentation in sale – Loss of possession due to adverse claim – Support in legal disputes
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28 February 2025 |
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Court upheld ADR Consent Judgment, dismissing property inheritance dispute on unchallenged grounds and awarded costs to Plaintiff.
Property Law - Inheritance - Family property - Validity of Wills - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - Consent Judgment enforcement
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28 February 2025 |
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Accused convicted of stealing after admission/confession and failure to challenge prosecution evidence.
Criminal law – Stealing (s.124(1) Act 29) – elements of theft – appropriation and dishonest intention – admissibility and effect of accused’s admission/confession – failure to cross-examine prosecution witnesses treated as acceptance of averments – prima facie case and conviction.
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28 February 2025 |
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The accused's failure to cross-examine witnesses and defense admission led to his conviction for stealing.
Criminal Law – Stealing – Proof beyond reasonable doubt – Admission of guilt by failure to cross-examine and defense admission as confession.
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28 February 2025 |
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The court ruled a private loan agreement, not regulated by financial institution laws, must refund unconscionable interest.
Contract Law – Friendly loan agreement – Recovery of outstanding principal and interest – Applicability of Non-Bank Financial Institutions Act.
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27 February 2025 |
