Bayusuf family seeks justice in dispute with bank over Ksh 174 million

The widow of late Mombasa tycoon Mohamed Bayusuf is calling on the judiciary to speed up her decade-long legal battle involving her late husband’s company, Anwar Mohamed Bayusuf Limited, and a local lender.

Noor Jeizan, Bayusuf’s widow, through the spokesperson for the family and civil rights groups, has asked the Chief Justice to expedite the legal proceedings, citing delays in her case against Diamond Trust Bank (DTB).

The dispute revolves around a loan of Sh174 million that the late Bayusuf took, according to DTB. The bank insisted that it must be allowed to sell the widow’s property to recover the outstanding debt.

However, the family, represented by its spokesman Abdallah Baqor, reiterates that the bank’s demands are questionable and that they are fighting to obtain justice.

Baqor claims that the bank is demanding the repayment of Sh70 million, allegedly a loan taken by the late tycoon, but he questions the validity of the bank’s documents.

According to Baqor, the loan was allegedly issued after Bayusuf’s death.

“We are grateful to the government for allowing us to voice our grievances. It is worrying that the bank is ignoring all instructions from the relevant authorities in this case,” Baqor said.

The widow’s fate caught the attention of human rights activists, who have now joined the call for justice.

Farida Rashid, a women’s rights activist, stressed that the Chief Justice must intervene and ensure a speedy resolution of the case.

“We will not give up this fight. It is disheartening to see this level of injustice happening to a poor widow,” Rashid said.

Karama Yahya, another civil rights activist, called on the government to intervene in the case, which has dragged on for more than a decade since Bayusuf’s death in 2010.

“It is unfortunate that the bank has disregarded the court’s orders,” Yahya noted, calling on the government to protect the rights of widows and orphans in similar disputes.

The case is currently being heard in criminal court, where investigations are ongoing.