State ex rel. Nyamusevya v. Hawkins , 2023 Ohio 840 ( 2023 )

[Cite as State ex rel. Nyamusevya v. Hawkins, 2023-Ohio-840.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
State ex rel. Leonard Nyamusevya, :
Relator, :
No. 22AP-327
v. :
(REGULAR CALENDAR)
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas :
Honorable Judge Daniel R. Hawkins
et al., :
Respondents. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on March 16, 2023
On brief: Leonard Nyamusevya, pro se.
On brief: G. Gary Tyack, Prosecuting Attorney, and
Charles R. Ellis, for respondent Judge Daniel R. Hawkins.
On brief: Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Kara A. Czanik, and Harry
W. Cappel, for respondent CitiMortgage, Inc.
On brief: Padgett Law Group, and Ellen L. Fornash, for
respondent Padgett Law Group.
IN PROHIBITION AND MANDAMUS
ON RESPONDENTS’ MOTIONS TO DISMISS
MENTEL, J.
{¶ 1} On June 7, 2022, relator, Leonard Nyamusevya, brought this original action
seeking a writ of prohibition, writ of mandamus, or an alternate writ seeking to prevent the
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas from concluding foreclosure litigation
commenced over 12 years ago. In the interim, Mr. Nyamusevya has litigated the case
through a number of appeals in this court and bankruptcy court. He filed an amended
No. 22AP-327 2
complaint on June 27, 2022.1 Respondents, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
and the Honorable Judge Daniel R. Hawkins, Citimortgage, Inc., and Padgett Law Group,
have filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint under Rule 12(B)(6) of the Ohio Rules
of Civil Procedure for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
{¶ 2} Pursuant to Civ.R. 53 and Loc.R. 13(M) of the Tenth District Court of Appeals,
this matter was referred to a magistrate. The magistrate recommends that we grant the
motion.
{¶ 3} Mr. Nyamusevya filed no objection to the magistrate’s decision. “If no timely
objections are filed, the court may adopt a magistrate’s decision, unless it determines that
there is an error of law or other defect evident on the face of the magistrate’s decision.”
Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(c). With one exception, our review of the magistrate’s decision reveals no
error of law or other evident defect. See, e.g., State ex rel. Alleyne v. Indus. Comm., 10th
Dist. No. 03AP-811, 2004-Ohio-4223, ¶ 32-33 (adopting the magistrate’s decision where
no objections were filed).
{¶ 4} The magistrate recommends that we dismiss Mr. Nyamusevya’s claim for a
writ of prohibition because it is barred by res judicata and because the trial court had
jurisdiction over the foreclosure case. “Res judicata, however, is an affirmative defense that
is not a proper basis for dismissal for failure to state a claim.” State ex rel. Jones v. Hogan,
166 Ohio St.3d 213, 2021-Ohio-3567, ¶ 8, citing State ex rel. Neguse v. McIntosh, 161 Ohio
St.3d 125, 2020-Ohio-3533, ¶ 10. Thus, we decline to apply res judicata to dismiss the claim
for a writ of prohibition.
{¶ 5} Nevertheless, Mr. Nyamusevya’s claim cannot pass the magistrate’s “test[]”
of the trial court’s subject-matter jurisdiction over the foreclosure action. State ex rel.
Eaton Corp. v. Lancaster, 40 Ohio St.3d 404, 409 (1988). Because the trial court had
subject-matter jurisdiction to issue the orders Mr. Nyamusevya challenges, he can prove no
set of facts entitling him to the writ of prohibition he seeks. See, e.g., State ex rel. Dunn v.
Court of Common Pleas, 10th Dist. No. 14AP-819, 2017-Ohio-7679, ¶ 5 (granting motion to
1 Because Mr. Nyamusevya’s amended complaint did not name as a party one of the respondents named in
the original complaint, the Office of the Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin, that respondent is "dropped
from the case." Albrecht v. Franklin Cty. Court of Appeals of Ohio, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-510, 2018-Ohio-
4008, ¶ 15. Accordingly, the June 8 and June 24, 2022 motions to dismiss filed by said respondent are
overruled as moot.
No. 22AP-327 3
dismiss claim for a writ of prohibition after concluding that the trial court had jurisdiction
to rule on pending motions in a civil case).
{¶ 6} Apart from the variation in reasoning, we adopt the decision of the magistrate
in its entirety, grant respondents’ motions, and dismiss the complaint.
Motions granted; complaint dismissed.
LUPER SCHUSTER and EDELSTEIN, JJ., concur.
_________________
No. 22AP-327 4
A P P E N D I X
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
State ex rel. Leonard Nyamusevya, :
Relator, :
v. : No. 22AP-327
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas: : (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Honorable Judge Daniel R. Hawkins et al.,
:
Respondents.
:
MAGISTRATE'S DECISION
Rendered on November 15, 2022
Leonard Nyamusevya, pro se.
G. Gary Tyack, Prosecuting Attorney, and Charles R. Ellis, for
respondent Judge Daniel R. Hawkins.
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Kara A. Czanik, and Harry W.
Cappel, for respondent CitiMortgage, Inc.
Padgett Law Group, and Ellen L. Fornash, for respondent
Padgett Law Group.
IN PROHIBITION AND MANDAMUS
ON RESPONDENTS' MOTIONS TO DISMISS
{¶ 7} Over twelve years ago, respondent CitiMortgage, Inc. (“CitiMortgage”) filed
a foreclosure action against relator, Leonard Nyamusevya. The instant original action, in
No. 22AP-327 5
which relator seeks the issuance of a writ of mandamus, writ of prohibition, or an
alternative writ, is the latest in a long line of related cases. Respondents, Judge Daniel R.
Hawkins of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas
Baldwin, Padgett Law Group (“PLG”), and CitiMortgage (collectively, “respondents”), have
filed motions to dismiss. Relator has also filed several pending motions. Due to the
voluminous and overlapping litigation in various venues arising out of the foreclosure, the
following findings of fact are organized by subject matter for avoidance of confusion.
I. Findings of Fact:
A. Foreclosure Action and First Original Action
{¶ 8} 1. CitiMortgage filed a complaint in foreclosure on relator's property at 2064
Worcester Court (“the Property”) against relator and other parties, who are not parties to
the instant matter, in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in case number 10CVE-
09-13480 on September 14, 2010. On July 10, 2013, the common pleas court issued a
decision granting CitiMortgage's motion for summary judgment. On May 20, 2014, the
common pleas court issued a judgment and decree in foreclosure in favor of CitiMortgage
in the amount sought in the complaint. In a decision rendered August 30, 2016, this court
affirmed the judgment of the common pleas court granting summary judgment in favor of
CitiMortgage but reversed in part, finding there existed “an issue of fact as to the amount
owed on the loan at the time of default.” CitiMortgage, Inc. v. Nyamusevya, 10th Dist. No.
14AP-464, 2016-Ohio-5588, ¶ 32 (“Nyamusevya I”), discretionary appeal denied, 149
Ohio St.3d 1407, 2017-Ohio-2822.
{¶ 9} 2. On remand, the common pleas court conducted a jury trial to determine
the amount of money relator owed CitiMortgage, ultimately granting CitiMortgage's
motion for directed verdict. On November 15, 2018, the common pleas court issued a
decision entering judgment for CitiMortgage and a decree in foreclosure, which relator
appealed to this court on December 12, 2018.
{¶ 10} 3. While his appeal from the November 15, 2018 judgment was pending,
relator filed a complaint in mandamus and prohibition in this court on April 5, 2019.
Relator sought a writ of mandamus to compel respondent Judge Hawkins to rule on and
dispose of certain pending motions in the foreclosure action. Relator also sought a writ of
No. 22AP-327 6
prohibition, contending the common pleas court lacked jurisdiction to proceed with the
foreclosure action. In a decision rendered on April 28, 2020, this court dismissed relator's
complaint for writ of mandamus and writ of prohibition. State ex rel. Nyamusevya v.
Hawkins, 10th Dist. No. 19AP-199, 2020-Ohio-2690 (“Nyamusevya II”).
{¶ 11} 4. In a decision rendered on October 22, 2020, this court affirmed the
common pleas court's November 15, 2018 judgment and decree in foreclosure.
CitiMortgage, Inc. v. Nyamusevya, 10th Dist. No. 18AP-949, 2020-Ohio-5024(“Nyamusevya III”).
{¶ 12} 5. On July 6, 2022, the common pleas court filed an entry confirming the sale
of the Property, which relator appealed to this court on July 27, 2022. At present, such
appeal remains pending before this court in case number 22AP-464.
B. Bankruptcy Proceedings
{¶ 13} 6. While relator's first appeal was pending before this court, on August 18,
2014, relator filed a petition in federal bankruptcy court for the Southern District of Ohio.
On August 3, 2015, the bankruptcy court dismissed the proceeding.
{¶ 14} 7. While relator's second appeal was pending before this court, on May 1,
2019, relator filed a second petition in federal bankruptcy court for the Southern District of
Ohio, which resulted in a stay of his prior original action and the appeal from the November
15, 2018 foreclosure judgment.
{¶ 15} 8. On October 16, 2019, the bankruptcy trustee abandoned the Property. On
November 21, 2019, the bankruptcy court entered a discharge order, terminating the
automatic stay for bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. 362. On November 26, 2019, the bankruptcy
court entered an order rejecting relator's argument that the Property was not properly
abandoned and denying CitiMortgage's motion for relief from stay as moot. On appeal, the
Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Sixth Circuit held that there was no violation of due
process in the abandonment of the Property. Nyamusevya v. CitiMortgage, Inc., Bankr.6th
Cir. No. 19-8027, 2021 Bankr. LEXIS 174 (Jan. 20, 2021). The Sixth Circuit Court of
Appeals affirmed. Nyamusevya v. CitiMortgage, Inc., 6th Cir. No. 21-3089, 2021 U.S. App.
LEXIS 36933 (Dec. 14, 2021).
{¶ 16} 9. On May 31, 2022, the bankruptcy court denied relator's motion for
contempt for violation of the discharge order against CitiMortgage and denied relator's
No. 22AP-327 7
motion to void the foreclosure judgment. In re Nyamusevya, Bankr.S.D.Ohio No. 19-
52868, 2022 Bankr. LEXIS 1637 (May 31, 2022). On September 21, 2022, the bankruptcy
court found that CitiMortgage did not violate the automatic stay. In re Nyamusevya,
Bankr.S.D.Ohio No. 19-52868, 2022 Bankr. LEXIS 2617 (Sept. 21, 2022).
C. Current Action in Mandamus and Prohibition
{¶ 17} 10. On June 7, 2022, relator filed a complaint in the instant case seeking
expeditious writ of mandamus, prohibition, and alternative writ. Relator also filed an
“expeditious motion for preliminary and permanent injunction order,” an “expeditious ex-
parte motion for urgent temporary restraining order under Civ.R. 65(A),” and a motion for
leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
{¶ 18} 11. On June 8, 2022, this court filed a journal entry denying relator's motion
for an ex parte temporary restraining order and granting relator's motion for leave to
proceed in forma pauperis.
{¶ 19} 12. On June 23, 2022, CitiMortgage filed a memorandum in opposition to
relator's June 7, 2022 motion for preliminary and permanent injunction.
{¶ 20} 13. On June 24, 2022, respondents Judge Hawkins and Sheriff Baldwin filed
motions to dismiss relator's complaint pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6).
{¶ 21} 14. On June 27, 2022, relator filed an amended complaint for “expeditious
writ of mandamus and prohibition and alternative writ and other allowed reliefs.”
{¶ 22} 15. On July 5, 2022, PLG filed a motion to dismiss relator's complaint
pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6). On July 6, 2022, CitiMortgage filed a motion to dismiss
pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6).
{¶ 23} 16. On July 7, 2022, relator filed a “motion for objection to [PLG's]
unsupported and unwarranted July 05, 2022 motion to dismiss complaint and amended
complaint.” On July 8, 2022, relator filed an “expeditious motion to decline eviction from
paid off entirely real property” and an “expeditious motion for clarification to block
[CitiMortgage's] contentions.”
{¶ 24} 17. On July 8, 2022, respondents Judge Hawkins and Sheriff Baldwin filed
motions to dismiss relator's complaint pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6).
No. 22AP-327 8
{¶ 25} 18. On July 12, 2022, relator filed a “motion for objection to [CitiMortgage's]
unsupported and unwarranted June 23, 2022 memorandum in opposition to motion for
preliminary and permanent injunction order.”
{¶ 26} 19. On July 14, 2022, CitiMortgage filed a response to relator's July 8, 2022
motion for clarification and July 12, 2022 motion for objection. On July 20, 2022,
CitiMortgage filed a memorandum in opposition to relator's July 8, 2022 expeditious
motion to decline eviction from paid off entirely real property.
{¶ 27} 20. On July 22, 2022, relator filed a “motion for objection” to CitiMortgage's
July 6, 2022 motion to dismiss. On July 25, 2022, relator filed a “motion for objection” to
Judge Hawkins's motions to dismiss, a “motion to substantiate that the 09/14/2010
foreclosure complaint was not an in rem complaint,” and a “motion to substantiate that the
11/15/2018 foreclosure judgment was not an in rem judgment.”
{¶ 28} 21. On July 27, 2022, CitiMortgage filed a response to relator's July 25, 2022
two “motion[s] to substantiate.”
{¶ 29} 22. On October 19, 2022, relator filed an “emergency motion to stay the
October 10, 2022 writ of possession pending the disposition for this case.” On October 20,
2022, the magistrate filed an order denying relator's October 19, 2022 motion for stay.
II. Discussion and Conclusions of Law:
A. Motion to Dismiss and Judicial Notice
{¶ 30} A motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim is procedural and tests the
sufficiency of the complaint itself and any attached documents. State ex rel. Hanson v.
Guernsey Cty. Bd. of Commrs., 65 Ohio St.3d 545 (1992), citing Assn. for Defense of
Washington Local School Dist. v. Kiger, 42 Ohio St.3d 116, 117 (1989). Attachments to the
complaint are considered part of the complaint for all purposes. Civ.R. 10(C).
{¶ 31} A court must presume all factual allegations contained in the complaint to be
true and make all reasonable inferences in favor of the nonmoving party. Red Foot Racing
Stables v. Polhamus, 10th Dist. No. 19AP-390, 2020-Ohio-592, ¶ 11, citing State ex rel.
Turner v. Houk, 112 Ohio St.3d 561, 2007-Ohio-814, ¶ 5. “Before the court may dismiss the
complaint, it must appear beyond doubt from the complaint that the plaintiff can prove no
set of facts entitling the plaintiff to recovery.” Jones v. Dann, 10th Dist. No. 09AP-352,
No. 22AP-327 9
2009-Ohio-5976, ¶ 9, citing O'Brien v. Univ. Community Tenants Union, Inc., 42 Ohio
St.2d 242 (1975), syllabus. Provided there is a set of facts, consistent with the complaint,
under which the complaining party could recover, a court may not grant a motion to dismiss
for failure to state a claim. Prime Invests., LLC v. Altimate Care, LLC, 10th Dist. No. 20AP-
526, 2022-Ohio-1181, ¶ 23, citing York v. Ohio State Hwy. Patrol, 60 Ohio St.3d 143, 145
(1991). However, a court need not accept as true any unsupported and conclusory legal
propositions presented in the complaint. Bullard v. McDonald's, 10th Dist. No. 20AP-374,
2021-Ohio-1505, ¶ 11, citing Morrow v. Reminger & Reminger Co. LPA, 183 Ohio App.3d
40, 2009-Ohio-2665, ¶ 7 (10th Dist.).
{¶ 32} When determining whether a relator's complaint states a claim for a writ, a
court may take judicial notice of the pleadings and orders in related cases when these are
not subject to reasonable dispute insofar as they affect the current original action. Evid.R.
201(B); State ex rel. Ohio Republican Party v. Fitzgerald, 145 Ohio St.3d 92, 2015-Ohio-
5056, ¶ 18; State ex rel. Womack v. Marsh, 128 Ohio St.3d 303, 2011-Ohio-229, ¶ 8. “Ohio
courts may take judicial notice in 'writ action[s] without converting * * * [a] dismissal
motion to a motion for summary judgment.' “ State ex rel. Mobley v. O'Donnell, 10th Dist.
No. 20AP-193, 2021-Ohio-715, ¶ 9, quoting State ex rel. Nelson v. Russo, 89 Ohio St.3d
227, 228 (2000). See Pearson v. Columbus, 10th Dist. No. 14AP-313, 2014-Ohio-5563, ¶ 17,
quoting State ex rel. Everhart v. McIntosh, 115 Ohio St.3d 195, 2007-Ohio-4798, ¶ 10
(stating that a court is permitted to “take judicial notice of 'appropriate matters' in
determining a Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion without converting it to a motion for summary
judgment”).
B. Writ of Prohibition
{¶ 33} First, relator requests a writ of prohibition. A writ of prohibition is an
extraordinary remedy from a court of superior jurisdiction and directed to an inferior court
or tribunal commanding it to cease abusing or usurping judicial functions. State ex rel.
Jones v. Suster, 84 Ohio St.3d 70, 73 (1998). The Supreme Court of Ohio has stated that a
“writ of prohibition 'tests and determines “solely and only” the subject matter jurisdiction'
of the lower court.” Id., quoting State ex rel. Eaton Corp. v. Lancaster, 40 Ohio St.3d 404,
409 (1988), quoting State ex rel. Staton v. Common Pleas Court, 5 Ohio St.2d 17, 21 (1965).
In order for a writ of prohibition to be issued, a relator must establish that: (1) the
No. 22AP-327 10
respondent is about to exercise judicial authority, (2) the exercise of such authority is not
authorized by law, and (3) denying the writ would result in injury for which no other
adequate remedy exists in the ordinary course of law. State ex rel. Roush v. Montgomery,
156 Ohio St.3d 351, 2019-Ohio-932, ¶ 5.
{¶ 34} In his amended complaint, relator asserts he is entitled to a writ of
prohibition because the common pleas court lacked jurisdiction to proceed with the
foreclosure action, specifically including the April 14, 2022 order of sale. Relator claims the
common pleas court lacked jurisdiction to vacate the bankruptcy court's November 21,
2019 order of discharge. Relator also asserts the foreclosure judgment was not an in rem
judgment and, therefore, did not survive the bankruptcy court's discharge order. Relator's
claims are without merit.
{¶ 35} A court's jurisdiction refers to the court's authority to proceed or rule on cases
within the court's subject-matter jurisdiction. Bank of Am., N.A. v. Kuchta, 141 Ohio St.3d
75, 2014-Ohio-4275, ¶ 19. Article IV, Section 4(B) of the Ohio Constitution confers “original
jurisdiction over all justiciable matters * * * as may be provided by law” on the courts of
common pleas. In R.C. 2305.01, the General Assembly authorized courts of common pleas
to have “original jurisdiction in all civil cases in which the sum or matter in dispute exceeds
the exclusive original jurisdiction of county courts.” R.C. 2323.07 provides that “[w]hen a
mortgage is foreclosed or a specific lien enforced, a sale of the property * * * shall be ordered
by the court having jurisdiction.” The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that “actions in
foreclosure are within the subject-matter jurisdiction of a court of common pleas.” Kuchta
at ¶ 20.
{¶ 36} Here, relator pursued remedies in the ordinary course of law. As stated in this
court's decision dismissing relator's previous complaint for prohibition and mandamus:
“We decided relator's prior appeal and, therefore, have already ruled and implicitly
determined the trial court had jurisdiction over the case.” Nyamusevya II at ¶ 11. Thus, the
question has already been conclusively settled, and under the doctrine of res judicata
relator cannot again seek to obtain through an extraordinary writ a remedy that he has
already been denied. See Hughes v. Calabrese, 95 Ohio St.3d 334, 2002-Ohio-2217, ¶ 12
(finding that res judicata barred a second prohibition action); State ex rel. LTV Steel Co. v.
Gwin, 64 Ohio St.3d 245, 249 (1992) (“[E]xtraordinary writs may not be used as a
No. 22AP-327 11
substitute for an otherwise barred second appeal or to gain successive appellate reviews of
the same issue.”). Permitting another collateral attack on the subject-matter jurisdiction of
the common pleas court through prohibition would undermine the finality of the
judgments in that case by permitting the endless relitigation of the court's jurisdiction when
the relator has already had a full and fair opportunity to be heard. See State ex rel.
Peoples v. Johnson, 152 Ohio St.3d 418, 2017-Ohio-9140, ¶ 13; Ins. Corp. of Ireland., Ltd. v.
Compagnie Des Bauxites De Guinee, 456 U.S. 694, 702 (1982), fn. 9 (“A party that has had
an opportunity to litigate the question of subject-matter jurisdiction may not, however,
reopen that question in a collateral attack upon an adverse judgment. It has long been the
rule that principles of res judicata apply to jurisdictional determinations -- both subject
matter and personal.”).
{¶ 37} In addition to his appeals from the foreclosure action to this court, relator
also raised arguments related to foreclosure in the bankruptcy action. The Bankruptcy
Appellate Panel for the Sixth Circuit stated that relator's “discharge precludes CitiMortgage
from collecting its debt directly from [relator] himself (in personam) but does not prevent
CitiMortgage from liquidating the [relator's] Property to satisfy the debt (in rem).”
Nyamusevya v. CitiMortgage, 2021 Bankr. LEXIS 174. On appeal, the Sixth Circuit Court
of Appeals reaffirmed that “the lien that CitiMortgage obtained during the pre-bankruptcy
foreclosure proceedings survives the bankruptcy and was not extinguished by the
abandonment or discharge.” Nyamusevya v. CitiMortgage, 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 36933.
Furthermore, the Sixth Circuit stated that relator's “challenges to the lien in the bankruptcy
court are merely an attempt to relitigate an issue already decided by the state court (i.e., the
state court's finding that CitiMortgage's lien was valid and that it had the right to foreclose
on the property).” Id.{¶ 38} Relator again pursued the argument that CitiMortgage violated the
bankruptcy discharge order in motions before the bankruptcy court, which were ruled on
earlier this year. In its May 31, 2022 decision, the bankruptcy court stated:
[Relator] appears to believe either that his bankruptcy
discharge completely eliminated the mortgage lien on his
house, or that because the prepetition judgment was both an in
rem and an in personam judgment, it was somehow rendered
invalid when he received his discharge in this case. He is wrong
No. 22AP-327 12
on both counts. The discharge eliminated his personal liability
for the mortgage debt, but the lien remains on the house and is
subject to a foreclosure by the lender.
Nyamusevya, 2022 Bankr. LEXIS 1637. The court further found that the November 15,
2018 foreclosure judgment of the common pleas court was entered before relator filed the
petition for bankruptcy and stated that “there is nothing to prevent the lender from
exercising its in rem rights by foreclosing the mortgage on [relator's] property.” Id.{¶ 39} These decisions are consistent with well-established precedent. As the
Supreme Court of the United States has explained:
A mortgage is an interest in real property that secures a
creditor's right to repayment. But unless the debtor and
creditor have provided otherwise, the creditor ordinarily is not
limited to foreclosure on the mortgaged property should the
debtor default on his obligation; rather, the creditor may in
addition sue to establish the debtor's in personam liability for
any deficiency on the debt and may enforce any judgment
against the debtor's assets generally. A defaulting debtor can
protect himself from personal liability by obtaining a discharge
in a Chapter 7 liquidation. However, such a discharge
extinguishes only the personal liability of the debtor. [T]he
Code provides that a creditor's right to foreclose on the
mortgage survives or passes through the bankruptcy.
(Emphasis sic.) (Internal citations and quotations omitted.) Johnson v. Home State Bank,
501 U.S. 78, 82-83 (1991).
{¶ 40} In sum, relator's claims regarding the subject-matter jurisdiction of the
common pleas court are meritless and barred by res judicata. Because the common pleas
court possessed jurisdiction over the foreclosure case, relator's claim for a writ of
prohibition must be dismissed.
C. Writ of Mandamus
{¶ 41} Next, relator claims he is entitled to a writ of mandamus. In order for a court
to issue a writ of mandamus, a relator must establish (1) the relator has a clear legal right
to the relief requested, (2) the respondents are under a clear legal duty to provide the relief,
and (3) the relator has no plain and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of the law.
State ex rel. Berger v. McMonagle, 6 Ohio St.3d 28, 29 (1983), citing State ex rel. Harris
v. Rhodes, 54 Ohio St.2d 41, 42 (1978). “A complaint in mandamus states a claim if it alleges
No. 22AP-327 13
'the existence of the legal duty and the want of an adequate remedy at law with sufficient
particularity so that the respondent is given reasonable notice of the claim asserted.' “ State
ex rel. Bush, 42 Ohio St.3d 77, 80 (1989), quoting State ex rel. Alford v. Willoughby, 58
Ohio St.2d 221, 224 (1979). “It is firmly established that the writ of mandamus will not issue
'* * * where the relator has or had available a clear, plain and adequate remedy in the
ordinary course of the law.' “ Berger at 30, quoting State ex rel. Sibarco Corp. v. Berea, 7
Ohio St.2d 85, 88 (1966). See State ex rel. Cartwright v. Ohio Adult Parole Bd., 10th Dist.
No. 20AP-62, 2021-Ohio-923, ¶ 7, citing State ex rel. Hanson v. Guernsey Cty. Bd. of
Commrs., 65 Ohio St.3d 545, 548 (1992). See also State ex rel. Washington v. D'Apolito,
156 Ohio St.3d 77, 2018-Ohio-5135, ¶ 7, quoting State ex rel. Edwards v. Toledo City School
Dist. Bd. of Edn., 72 Ohio St.3d 106, 109 (1995) (stating that “ 'a claim that a relator
possesses an adequate legal remedy precluding a writ of mandamus seeks an adjudication
on the merits' and that 'a Civ.R. 12(B)(6) dismissal based upon the merits is unusual and
should be granted with caution' “).
{¶ 42} The basis for relator's mandamus claim is somewhat unclear from the text of
his amended complaint. Generally, mandamus will not issue where there is a plain and
adequate remedy in the ordinary course of the law. R.C. 2731.05. Nevertheless, if
“declaratory judgment would not be a complete remedy unless coupled with ancillary
extraordinary relief in the nature of a mandatory injunction, the availability of declaratory
judgment does not preclude a writ of mandamus.” (Emphasis added.) State ex rel. Arnett
v. Winemiller, 80 Ohio St.3d 255, 259 (1997). Where the real objects sought in a complaint
are a declaratory judgment and a prohibitory injunction, then the complaint does not state
a claim in mandamus and must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. State ex rel. Grendell
v. Davidson, 86 Ohio St.3d 629, 634 (1999); State ex rel. Gadell-Newton v. Husted, 153
Ohio St.3d 225, 2018-Ohio-1854, ¶ 10.
{¶ 43} The Supreme Court of Ohio has explained the difference between the two
forms of injunction as follows: “a prohibitory injunction is used to prevent a future injury,
but a mandatory injunction is used to remedy past injuries.” State ex rel. Gen. Motors Corp.
v. Indus. Comm., 117 Ohio St.3d 480, 2008-Ohio-1593, ¶ 12. A court ascertains which form
of injunctive relief is being sought by “examining the complaint to determine whether it
No. 22AP-327 14
actually seeks to prevent, rather than compel, official action.” State ex rel.
Evans v. Blackwell, 111 Ohio St.3d 437, 2006-Ohio-5439, ¶ 20.
{¶ 44} Here, it appears relator seeks a mandatory injunction to void the common
pleas court's foreclosure judgment, entry confirming sale, and several other orders. Relator
argues he is entitled to an order against respondents “which orders directly the Franklin
County Ohio Recorder's Office to record a copy of the said Order of Permanent Injunction,
which shall act as a full release of the deed of trust representing the wholly satisfaction of
the CitiMortgage, Inc.'s mortgage claim or lien against the Relator-Plaintiff's real property.”
(Sic.) (Am. Compl. at 46.) Relator claims that the foreclosure judgment is void because it
was “wholly satisfied and paid off entirely and was extinguished and was unenforceable.”
(Am. Compl. at 4.)
{¶ 45} As this court found in Nyamusevya III, relator “had the opportunity to
present evidence on the issue of how much money he owed CitiMortgage at the trial
conducted November 5, 2018.” Nyamusevya III at ¶ 23. In that decision, this court affirmed
the common pleas court's foreclosure judgment finding the common pleas court “properly
applied the law to conclude that CitiMortgage had stated its motion for a directed verdict
with specificity, had provided sufficient evidence of the amount Nyamusevya owed
CitiMortgage, and Nyamusevya had not rebutted that evidence.” Id. at ¶ 27. To the extent
there was error in subsequent proceedings before the common pleas court, relator has the
opportunity to challenge such error in his pending appeal from the court's July 6, 2022
entry confirming sale. Thus, relator availed himself of an opportunity to challenge the
foreclosure judgment in the ordinary course of law and is pursuing an adequate remedy at
law through his challenge to the entry confirming sale. As a result, mandamus will not lie.
{¶ 46} Relator also seeks a writ compelling the court of common pleas to rule on
pending motions. Although procedendo is the more appropriate remedy, “mandamus will
lie when a trial court has refused to render, or unduly delayed rendering, a judgment.” State
ex rel. Reynolds v. Basinger, 99 Ohio St.3d 303, 2003-Ohio-3631, ¶ 5. However, “neither
procedendo nor mandamus will compel the performance of a duty that has already been
performed.” State ex rel. Kreps v. Christiansen, 88 Ohio St.3d 313, 318 (2000), citing State
ex rel. Grove v. Nadel, 84 Ohio St.3d 252, 253 (1998). It is difficult to discern from relator's
complaint which motions he asserts are still pending before the common pleas court. When
No. 22AP-327 15
a trial court does not expressly rule on pending motions upon entering final judgment, such
motions are deemed implicitly denied. Mariner Fin., L.L.C. v. Childs, 10th Dist. No. 21AP-
19, 2021-Ohio-3935, ¶ 10, citing Crown Chrysler Jeep, Inc. v. Boulware, 10th Dist. No.
15AP-162, 2015-Ohio-5084, ¶ 27. Here, the trial court entered its entry confirming sale on
July 6, 2022, which relator has appealed to this court. By entering judgment, the common
pleas court has implicitly ruled on the pending prejudgment motions. As a result, relator's
request to rule on pending motions has become moot and must be dismissed. Moreover,
insofar as the common pleas court erred with regard to such motions, relator's pending
appeal before this court from the common pleas court's final judgment demonstrates that
relator has an adequate remedy at law thereby precluding mandamus.
D. Alternative Writ
{¶ 47} Finally, relator has requested an alternative writ. The Supreme Court of Ohio
has described potential paths that can be taken in a mandamus case under its Rules of
Practice, including dismissal, an alternative writ, or peremptory writ:
Dismissal is required when it appears beyond doubt, after
presuming the truth of all material factual allegations of the
complaint and making all reasonable inferences in [the
relator's] favor, that she is not entitled to the requested
extraordinary relief in mandamus. If, however, after so
construing [the relator's] complaint, it appears that her
mandamus claim may have merit, an alternative writ should
be granted and a schedule for the presentation of evidence and
briefs should be issued. Finally, if the pertinent facts are
uncontroverted and it appears beyond doubt that [the relator]
is entitled to the requested writ, we will issue a peremptory
writ of mandamus.
(Internal citations omitted.) State ex rel. Highlander v. Rudduck, 103 Ohio St.3d 370,
2004-Ohio-4952, ¶ 8. See State ex rel. Richland Cty. v. Richland Cty. Court of Common
Pleas, 152 Ohio St.3d 421, 2017-Ohio-9160, ¶ 20; State ex rel. Mason v. Burnside, 117
Ohio St.3d 1, 2007-Ohio-6754, ¶ 8; S.Ct.Prac.R. 12.04(C) (“After the time for filing an
answer to the complaint or a motion to dismiss, the Supreme Court will dismiss the case;
issue an alternative or a peremptory writ, if a writ has not already been issued; or deny
the request for the writ.”).
No. 22AP-327 16
{¶ 48} The alternative writ, under the Supreme Court of Ohio's Rules of Practice,
“now functions as a court-ordered evidence and briefing schedule, which manifests the
expectation that the relator's claim for the writ 'may have merit.' “ State ex rel. Morley v.
Lordi, 72 Ohio St.3d 510, 514 (1995). See S.Ct.Prac.R. 12.05 (“If an alternative writ is issued,
the Supreme Court will issue a schedule for the presentation of evidence and the filing and
service of briefs or other pleadings.”). In comparison to the Supreme Court of Ohio's Rules
of Practice, the Local Rules of the Tenth District Court of Appeals provide the following with
regard to the issuance of alternative writs: “In the absence of extraordinary circumstances,
no alternative writ will be issued in an original action, other than a habeas corpus action.”
Loc.R. 13(C). Generally, in original actions other than habeas corpus actions, following the
service of the respondent's answer, this court issues orders providing an evidence and
briefing schedule.
{¶ 49} Having found that relator can prove no set of facts entitling him to relief in
the form of either a writ of prohibition or mandamus, relator's request for an alternative
writ is moot. Moreover, pursuant to Loc.R. 13(C), relator is not entitled to an alternative
writ because no extraordinary circumstances are present in this case.
E. Conclusion
{¶ 50} Relator's July 8, 2022 “expeditious motion to decline eviction from paid off
entirely real property,” July 8, 2022 “expeditious motion for clarification to block
[CitiMortgage's] contentions,” July 25, 2022 “motion to substantiate that the 09/14/2010
foreclosure complaint was not an in rem complaint,” and July 25, 2022 “motion to
substantiate that the 11/15/2018 foreclosure judgment was not an in rem judgment” are
rendered moot. Additionally, relator filed several documents captioned “motion for
objection,” which appear to be responses to respondents' motions to dismiss. As responses,
no action is required; however, to the extent that such filings are considered motions, they
are rendered moot. Therefore, relator's July 7, 2022, July 12, 2022, July 22, 2022, and July
25, 2022 motions for objection are moot. Accordingly, it is the decision and
recommendation of the magistrate that respondents' motions to dismiss should be granted
and relator's complaint dismissed.
/S/ MAGISTRATE
JOSEPH E. WENGER IV
No. 22AP-327 17
NOTICE TO THE PARTIES
Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(iii) provides that a party shall not assign as
error on appeal the court's adoption of any factual finding or
legal conclusion, whether or not specifically designated as a
finding of fact or conclusion of law under Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(ii),
unless the party timely and specifically objects to that factual
finding or legal conclusion as required by Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b).