By our reporter
On Tuesday, Bank of Uganda acquired new lawyers; Sebalu Lule and Co. Advocates to represent them in a case against city businessman Sudhir Ruparelia whom they accuse of siphoning Shs400 billion from the now defunct Crane Bank.
The new law firm will take over the case on behalf of BoU after Sudhir said the central bank’s lawyers – Timothy Masembe Kanyerezi of MMAKS Advocates and David Mpanga from FK Mpanga and Company Advocates had a conflict of interest.
Sudhir argued the two counsels previously represented Crane Bank which was then under him, and should be dismissed on the grounds conflict of interest.
However, it should be noted that the two law firms had already been paid as much as Shs3.6 billion by the Central Bank during the early stages of the case according to reports.
And the question is; will the replaced lawyers reimburse the already taken money since they are departing when the case is still under unfinished business?
In September, BoU officials led by Governor Emmanuel Mutebile appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) over the bank’s expenditure on external lawyers despite having own legal department.
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