Firm wants Ngilu to testify in case over prime city plot

Suspended Land Secretary Charity Ngilu could be summoned to court to lift the lid on the intrigues surrounding a prime piece of land in Nairobi that has sucked three companies into an ownership struggle.

Samvo Limited, a company associated with Sarova Group of Hotels which claims legitimate ownership of the 2.23 acre plot in Kilimani, wants Ms Ngilu to be compelled to testify in the case that has been in court for over eight years.

LAND MYSTERY

Samvo, through lawyer Stephen Mwenesi, argues that recommendations by Lady Justice Lucy Gacheru in her ruling of June 14, 2013, gave the company the leeway to summon anyone who could help unravel the mystery surrounding the land.

“I find that the ends of justice would best be served if all parties herein are given an opportunity to have their day in court and ventilate their issues. It will not be in the interest of justice to condemn any party unheard as they have a duty to assist the court to achieve the overriding justice,” the judge had ruled.

Mrs Ngilu was caught up in the controversy last year after she moved to help Chinese investors launch a mega project for the construction of a 47-storey apartment complex a day after a court issued orders directing that no activity be allowed on the land pending determination of the suit.

The plaintiff claims to have inherited the land through family over generations. An Environmental and Land Division court was moved under a certificate of urgency to stop the “official grabbing” of the multi-million-shilling property on Ndemi Road.

“It is only fair that she also comes to court to give her side of the story, given that when she presided over the ground-breaking for the project on the disputed land, there was still a court order issued in 2007 prohibiting any activity on the property,” said Mr Mwenesi.

Samvo is asking the High Court to expel Chinese investors in the name of Catham and Delta Haulage from the property valued at more than Sh200 million, alleging it was irregularly allocated to the two who are also claiming ownership.

Sarova Group, through the family company Samvo Limited, told the court its property was wantonly destroyed by the purported new owners in a bid to destroy evidence of ownership.

Documents presented before the court showed that the property was owned by the mother, Swarana Devi Vohra, who passed it on to the family company. The directors of Samvo Limited are listed as Jagjit Singh Ahluwalia, Jaldip Singh Vohra, Ravinder Singh Vohra and Mohinder Singh Vohra.

Delta Haulage, which is also claiming ownership, has opposed the enjoinment of two businessmen who allegedly sold the property to Catham, last year.