TWUMASI, J.A.:
This is an appeal against the ruling delivered by the High Court, Tamale on the 31st March, 1998. The facts show that on the 24th December, 1992 the respondents, Unilever (Ghana) Limited instituted legal proceedings against the appellant, a business agent and tenant to the respondents for the recovery of an amount ¢4,992,248.40 said to be arrears of rent and value of goods supplied by the respondents under what was described as a deedership Agreement between the parties. The appellant counter claimed for reliefs comprising damages for breach of the said agreement. At the close of pleadings, summons for directions was duly taken and a date was fixed for the hearing of the suit.
On the due date the case was further adjourned at the instance of the respondents. Several adjournments were subsequently made because of the persistent absence of counsel for the respondents.
The record shows that on the numerous occasions that the court yielded to adjournments, service of hearing n…