Tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia has received an early Christmas present from the justice system after the high court disqualified Kampala law firms, MMAKS Advocates and AF Mpanga Advocates from representing Bank of Uganda in a case of fraud against the businessman over conflict of interest.
This morning, the commercial division of the high court ruled that lawyers David Mpanga and Kanyerezi Masembe who previously represented Crane Bank were privy to confidential information regarding Sudhir and that this information could be used to the businessman’s disadvantage.
The ruling was read by Deputy registrar Lillian Bucyana on behalf of Justice David Wangutusi.
In his plea, Sudhir accused MMAKS Advocates and AF Mpanga Advocates of “conflict of interest” and “breach of advocate-client relationship” because they previously represented him and Crane Bank, which is now in receivership.
Sudhir who was represented by Kampala Associated Advocates also argued that the lawyers are principal witnesses in the Crane Bank Case.
In their defence, Mpanga and Masembe denied working as Sudhir’s legal representatives, saying the businessman’s application was aimed at depriving BOU of “capable,” “ethical” and “incorruptible” counsel of its choice, but court thought otherwise.
“I can’t say much because the case is ongoing , but all this will be exposed. These lawyers are now forever conflicted. And I’m going to write to the law society in England and expose them,” Sudhir said outside court.
This is a first round win for Sudhir as BoU now has to return to the drawing board to get lawyers to with deep understanding of the case.