Mombasa tycoon’s widow seized for evicting co-wife in fight for Sh5bn property

Mrs Regine Butt, the second wife of the late Mombasa tycoon Mr Shahid Butt, boards a police truck after she led a team of youths to evict her co-wife Mrs Akhtar Shaheed Butt from her Mkomani home on August 2, 2015. Two lawyers representing the family of a slain Mombasa tycoon have been reprimanded over a fight at the Mombasa Law Courts last week. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The two are embroiled in a tussle at the Family Division of the High Court in Mombasa over the tycoon’s Sh5 billion property.
  • Kisauni deputy police boss Walter Abundo said officers intervened after receiving reports that unknown people, who were armed, had attacked occupants of the house.
  • Mr Butt owned several businesses, including Modern Coast Express bus company that plies the East Africa region.
  • Two months ago, the judge ordered the widows to continue living together after Ms Akhtar and her son, Haroon, evicted Ms Regine from the home.

The widow of a slain Mombasa tycoon was arrested for allegedly using goons to evict her co-wife from the family home in Nyali, Mombasa.

Mrs Regine Butt, the second wife of Shahid Butt, was seized on Saturday together with her lawyer George Miyare and five bouncers.

The widow allegedly kicked out her co-wife Mrs Akhtar Butt.

The two are embroiled in a tussle at the Family Division of the High Court in Mombasa over the tycoon’s Sh5 billion property.

Kisauni deputy police boss Walter Abundo said officers intervened after receiving reports that unknown people, who were armed, had attacked occupants of the house.

CASE PENDING IN COURT

He, however, said, Mrs Regine Butt, her lawyer and bouncers were released from Nyali Police Station after officers were informed the matter is pending in the High Court.

“Ms Regine went to Ms Akhtar’s house with a court order, but the latter resisted.

“After police received proper briefing, they set her free. We have told them to return to court,” said Mr Abundo.

Mr Butt owned several businesses, including Modern Coast Express bus company that plies the East Africa region.

Last Wednesday, lawyers Miyare (for Ms Regine) and Charles Agwara (for Ms Akhtar) fought.

The public separated them.

The ugly incident occurred shortly after Justice Edward Muriithi heard Ms Regine’s evidence.

LAWYERS APOLOGISED

The following day, the lawyers apologised before the judge.

However, Justice Muriithi told them off, saying he did not expect them to engage in such embarrassing behaviour.

Two months ago, the judge ordered the widows to continue living together after Ms Akhtar and her son, Haroon, evicted Ms Regine from the home.

The mother and son said they were willing to provide alternative accommodation for Ms Regine, and offered to pay Sh150,000 rent a month.

Justice Muriithi ruled that Ms Regine Butt should return to her matrimonial home, which she occupied with the tycoon before he died.

The court also ordered Ms Akhtar and her son, their servants, employees and agents not to interfere with Ms Regine, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The court, however, said it was not authorising the eviction of Ms Akhtar from the property and that she and her son could continue to living in the part of the house they occupied while Mr Butt was alive.

The tycoon was gunned down a year ago near the Moi International Airport, about 200 metres from Changamwe Police Station in Mombasa.

He was returning from the airport after picking up his son, who had arrived from London.