Property Mogul Mr. Sudhir Ruparelia has questioned the ‘ignorance’ of city lawyers Sebalu and Lule wondering experienced counsels of their caliber couldn’t sense they are conflicted and do away with the case.
The businessman expressed his distress following an adjournment of a conflict of interest case between Crane Management Services and DFCU who are represented by Sebalu and Lule Advocates.
The case has been adjourned to March 1, 2019.
“This is greed. It is a very simple case of conflict of interest. If a lawyer who has done all these degrees doesn’t know he is conflicted, I don’t know who will,” Sudhir expressed dismay on Wednesday outside the commercial court.
The judge presiding over the matter Justice David Wangutusi was absent with health complications reason the case was postponed.
Sudhir, states that Sebalue and Lule have previously worked for Crane Management Services and representing DFCU is in violation of the advocate client relationship and the Advocates (Professional Conduct) Regulations and therefore injures the previous client.
“In view of the advocate-client relationship between the applicant (Crane Management Services Ltd) and the 1st respondent (Sebalu & Lule advocates), the latter’s continued participation as defence counsel for the 2nd respondent (Dfcu bank) herein, which is the defendant in High Court Civil Suit (HCCS) No. 109/2018 against the applicant/plaintiff, is prejudicial to the applicant’s head suit,” the petition reads in part.
Speaking to reporters outside the court after the adjournment, Sudhir Ruparelia said they were “ready to proceed” and had “all the evidence; whatever it takes.”
Sebalu Lule & Advocates are also representing Bank of Uganda in a case which the central bank brought against Sudhir Ruparelia in his capacity as a former shareholder of the defunct Crane Bank, following High Court’s dismissal of two city law firms, MMAKS Advocates and Bowmans (AF Mpanga) for being in conflict of interest.
