Ghana Court Orders Businessman To Pay N24 Million For Breaching Marriage Promise
An Accra Circuit Court in Ghana has delivered a landmark ruling, ordering a 64-year-old businessman to pay his former lover a substantial compensation of GH¢200,000, equivalent to over N24 million Nigerian Naira. The judgment comes after the court found that the man had breached a binding promise to marry the woman, with whom he had been in a romantic relationship for approximately 11 years, from 2013 to 2024.
How The Legal Dispute Originated
The case initially began as an ejectment suit filed by the businessman, who sought to legally evict the woman from a two-bedroom apartment located on a self-contained property owned by his company. This legal action was taken shortly after their long-term relationship came to an end, prompting the businessman to request the court to remove her from the residence where she had been living.
Woman Files Countersuit Alleging Breach Of Promise
In a strategic response to the ejectment suit, the woman filed a countersuit, presenting her case to the court. She argued that the businessman had made a solemn promise to marry her during their extended relationship, which significantly influenced her decision to leave her own home and move in with him. To substantiate her claims, she provided several pieces of compelling evidence during the proceedings.
The evidence presented included:
- The businessman appearing publicly as an in-law at her father's funeral ceremony.
- Her active financial contributions and submission of a tribute during the same funeral event.
- The presentation of a ring to her by the businessman, which she argued symbolized their intended union.
- Their joint public appearances during a farewell ceremony connected to a construction project that spanned nearly four years.
Based on these assertions, the woman requested the court to award her $40,000, equivalent to over N56 million, as compensation for the breach of promise to marry. Additionally, she sought permission to remain in the two-bedroom apartment and requested the return of certain dowry items that had been exchanged.
Court's Final Ruling And Legal Reasoning
In delivering the final judgment, the court meticulously examined the evidence and concluded that a clear and binding promise to marry had indeed been established. Justice Kwadam, presiding over the case, emphasized that the ring presented to the woman was not merely a casual gift but was intended to formalize their union and deter other potential suitors from approaching her.
The court also took into consideration the ages of both parties, noting that they were over 60 years old, and highlighted that the lengthy duration of the relationship had substantially reduced the woman's prospects of finding another suitable partner in the future. Applying principles of equity, the court ruled that although the woman did not hold legal ownership of the property, she had acquired a beneficial interest in the two-bedroom apartment due to the circumstances.
Furthermore, the court imposed a constructive trust over the property and ordered the businessman to pay the specified compensation of GH¢200,000, which translates to over N24 million. This ruling underscores the legal recognition of promises made within personal relationships and the potential financial consequences of breaching such commitments.
