ARMAH V. GHANA WATER AND SEWERAGE CORPORATION

CECILIA KORANTENG-ADDOW J.: The plaintiff, an Accra legal practitioner, is the landlord of a block of flats described as house No. 3 Block 9, North Odorkor Residential Area. By a tenancy agreement dated 20 November 1978, he let these premises to the defendants, the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation, at an annual rent of ¢27,000 for two years certain with an option to renew. The notice of intention to renew should be given three months prior to the expiry of the term. The lease commenced on 1 September 1978, and the yearly rent was payable in advance at the commencement of each term. From 1 September 1979, the defendants failed to pay the agreed rent of ¢27,000. The plaintiff therefore took out this summons for recovery of possession; ¢13,500 arrears of rent for six unspecified months, and mesne profits.

By their amended statement of defence, the defendants pleaded and relied on two documents, namely, a circular No. 16/Vol. 3/143, dated 21 August 1979, issued from the office of the A…