ALLOTEY AND OTHERS V. UARCOO

ANIN J.S.C.: On 16 December 1980, we allowed this appeal and reserved our reasons. We proceed to give them now.

Since the death of Dr. C. E. Reindorf on 11 April 1968, the Onamrokor Adain family of Gbese, Accra, has been embroiled in protracted internecine litigation concerning his successor as head of family. The first suit entitled B. A. Quarcoo v. Manye Adorkor Allotey and Messrs. C.F.C. ended in a judgment incorporating an amicable settlement promoted by the La Mantse and Mr. Justice Nii Amaa Ollennu and filed in the court below on 23 December 1974. Under the terms of settlement, the plaintiff and the first defendant who incidentally fill the same roles in the present suit, were appointed joint family heads and it was also agreed that accredited representatives of the six constituent branches of the family should constitute elders and councillors to assist the joint heads in their administration of the family and its properties. The six elders who were selected by their respective…