Lawyer Shaw defends self in Sh152m land saga

A partner in one of the country’s oldest law firms has distanced herself from blame in a deal where a retired judge is being sought by international police over alleged theft of Sh152 million from a client.

Ms Virginia Wangui Shaw of Ransley McVicker & Shaw Advocates and Justice (Rtd) Philip Ransley are facing disciplinary action before the Kenya Law Society Disciplinary Tribunal.

Mr Ransley had received Sh277 million on behalf of his client Mr John Rowland Minns from the sale of his (Minns) land in Karen, Nairobi, then banked it in the client’s account with the law firm at Imperial Bank.

CON MEN
Ms Shaw told the three member tribunal that Rtd Justice Ransley lost the money to con men in a dubious deal.

Ms Shaw stated that the judge disclosed to her on August 2015 that “he signed over some moneys belonging to the complainant (Minns) to several individuals and the same was lost between June 9, 2015 and July 25, 2015 as the dealings turned out to be con”.

The judge reported the case to police with details of those he allegedly gave the money.

Ms Shaw told the tribunal that when the judge reported the incident, his client Mr Minns had also filed a complaint to the effect that Justice Ransley had not paid him over Sh152 million he received on his behalf from the said sale of land.

ARREST WARRANT
Police moved swiftly through the Director of Public Prosecutions and obtained a warrant to arrest and extradite the judge from the United Kingdom, where is currently residing.

Besides the court action, Mr Minns has also filed a separate proceeding before the tribunal seeking orders that Justice Ransley and Ms Shaw be compelled to pay him Sh152,702,850.17 plus interest at 18 per cent per annum from April 1, 2016.

Ms Shaw defended herself from being blacklisted on account of a transaction that was handled by Rtd Justice Ransley.

She told the tribunal that Mr Minns has been the judge’s friend for over 40 years.

EVIDENCE
The property was sold for Sh277 million. Rtd Justice Ransley paid Mr Minns some amount, which he used to purchase another property in Karen leaving the balance of Sh152,702,850.17.

“Mr Minns was a long time friend of my partner Rtd Justice Ransley and by virtue of the said relationship he (Minns) was a personal client to him (judge),” Ms Shaw states.

The tribunal directed the parties in the case to file further evidence and listed the matter for hearing on July 16, 2018.

Editor's note: This story has been edited to delete names of persons who were not party to the court case.