The High Court in Mombasa has taken stern action against Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and County Attorney Jimmy Waliaula, issuing warrants of arrest against them for contempt of court in a multi-billion land dispute involving Innovate Property Limited.
High Court Judge Lucas Naikuni ordered the warrants against Nassir and his officers, directing them to meet by May 2, 2024, and report the outcome to the court by May 6, 2024. Failure to comply would result in the warrants being executed on May 10, 2024.
“I will allow out-of-court discussion to continue. I feel I should issue a warrant of arrest if the parties fail to reach an agreement hence police can effect the arrest on May 10,” Justice Naikuni said.
The summons were issued after Nassir failed to vacate his officers from a 0.2641-hectare property along Abdel Nassir Road in Mombasa, owned by Innovative Properties Limited, despite a court order issued by Justice Charles Yano on January 27, 2021.
The County Government’s lawyer informed the court that Nassir and the attorney were out of the country and requested time to resolve the matter out of court, citing a meeting scheduled for May 2, 2024.
However, Innovative Properties Limited’s lawyer stated that he was unaware of any such meeting and applied for warrants of arrest against Nassir and his officers due to the County’s lack of seriousness in resolving the dispute.
Justice Naikuni directed that the warrants be executed on May 10, 2024, if Nassir and his officers failed to comply with the court’s orders. He allowed Nassir to meet with Innovative Properties Limited on May 2, 2024, and instructed the court to be notified of the meeting’s outcome by May 6, 2024.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating that court orders should not be taken lightly and must be obeyed.
