MMAKS Advocates and AF Mpanga Advocates, the two law firms representing Crane Bank (in receivership) in a case sanctioned by Bank of Uganda against former owner Sudhir Ruparelia are hesitant to produce the 26 documents requested for by Sudhir’s lawyers to help them file their defense.
Sudhir’s lawyers led by Peter Kabatsi of the Kampala Associated Advocates, recently filed an application demanding that the central bank’s lawyers release 26 documents to allow their client prepare defense in the case where BoU claims he “siphoned” $92m out of the defunct bank.
However, the lawyers representing BoU in the case have responded to Sudhir’s lawyers indicating that they can only produce one of the 26 documents.
“Notice that no “reference is made” in the plaint filed by the plaintiff on the 30th of June 2017 to any of the documents listed as items 1 to 26 (other than item 24) of the “Notice to produce Documents” filed on the 21st of July 2017,” such as to entitle the defendants to production of those documents at this stage of the suit,” a letter signed two law firms read.
In lay man’s terms, the lawyers argue that the documents being sought by Sudhir’s lawyers were not mentioned in the original suit filed in High Court on June 30th 2017, apart from only one document marked as “Item 24.”
The lawyers agreed to produce “Item 24” not later than tomorrow, Tuesday August 1st.
The BoU lawyers add that they would only provide the rest of the documents requested by Sudhir’s lawyers at the Scheduling Conference.
Sources say Sudhir’s lawyers “remain in the dark” over the case as they are yet to receive the vital documents, including the forensic report BoU lawyers are relying on in their case against the property magnate.