The civil division of the high Court has on Thursday morning disqualified law firms MMAKS advocates and AF Mpanga advocates from representing Bank of Uganda in the case of BoU vs Sudhir Ruparelia because of their conflict of interest in the matter.
This comes days after Bank of Uganda dropped the same firms from any negotiations with tycoon Sudhir on advice from Justice Bamwine their mediator, following Sudhir’s threats not to engage in any talks with the central Bank should it continue being represented by MMAKS and AF Mpanga law firms.
Businessman Sudhir had earlier challenged the stay of the two firms in the main case of BoU vs Sudhir in the commercial division of the high Court sighting conflict of interest in the case since they were his lawyers before crossing to Bank of Uganda side.
In David Wangutsi’s verdict read by Commercial Court Registrar Lilian Bukyana in the presence of Sudhir Ruparelia and his lawyers Elison karuhanga, Timothy of Kampala Associated Advocates, the law firms couldn’t represent Bank of Uganda against Sudhir Ruparelia since they were his lawyers and knew many of his secrets.
However, after reading the verdict, MMAKS advocates and AF Mpanga advocates vowed to appeal against the ruling, denying having been Sudhir’s lawyers. They said that they were Crane Bank lawyers not Sudhir’s claiming the two are different entities.
Speaking to journalists at the Commercial Court, Mr. Sudhir questioned the ethical conduct of MMAKS’ and AF Mpanga lawyers.
“I am going to write to the law society of England to which both firms are affiliated and expose them. They have been engaged in conflict of interest all their life”, vowed money bags Sudhir on Thursday morning.
Bank of Uganda took over Crane Bank in October last year and later sold it to DFCU Bank, sighting financial drainage a move Mr. Sudhir regards as politically motivated saying he wasn’t given time to recapitalise his bank.