Sons of Mombasa tycoon in fierce legal battle over property

Mombasa Businessman Tahir Sheikh Said (TSS).PHOTO BY MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD

Sons of Mombasa tycoon Tahir Sheikh Said, popularly known as TSS, are fighting for control of his multi-billion-shilling empire.

Sabir Tahir Said and his younger brother Sheikh Noorein Twahir are fighting for control of the transport segment of two firms, Transmara Logistic Ltd and TSS Pop Service Stations.

The protracted legal battle between Sabir and Noorein comes at a time when their father is fighting to save his other franchise, Unga Millers Ltd, over Sh2.7 billion in unpaid bank loans.

Sons of embattled Mombasa businessman Tahir Sheikh Said are embroiled in a legal battle over the control of his multi-billion-shilling empire.

Each of the two sons is seeking to seize control of the transport segment of two firms, Transmara Logistic Limited and TSS Pop Service Stations, in which their father, popularly known as TSS, is the main shareholder.

The two have differed on how to share the many lorries their father owns as well as other properties claimed by two companies where they are claiming shares.

The tycoon’s eldest son, Sabir Tahir Sheikh Said, has filed a counter-suit to challenge a High Court order directing him to transfer several vehicles to his younger bother, Sheikh Noorein Twahir.

High Court judge Justice Njoki Mwangi issued the order after Noorein, who is a director of Transmara Logistic Limited, moved to court and successfully obtained orders forcing Sabir to release to him three 30,000-litre fuel tankers and two trailers.

OVERTURN ORDER

 Mid this year, the court ordered Sabir to give Noorein part of the fleet the former had reportedly taken over. But TSS’s eldest son has moved to court seeking to overturn this order.

Sabir also wants the court to order an audit into how 15 lorries they have both laid claim to ended up with his brother.

“An order is hereby given for the defendant to forthwith release motor vehicles KBH 183Y, KBH 184Y, KBW 211L and trailers ZD 1288 and ZD1290,” Justice Mwangi said in an order issued on June 17.

However, in counter suit soon after, Sabir accused Noorein and his sister Fatma Tahir Sheikh of conspiring to fraudulently transfer the vehicles to his (Noorein’s) firm, Transmara Logistics Limited.

In the suit he filed on Monday, Sabir accused Noorein of fraud and breach of trust in running the businesses. He wants the order handing the vehicles to his younger brother reversed until the case is determined.

“I wish to put records straight and refute claims by brother that he owns three motor vehicles, two trailers and three 30,000-litre fuel tankers. He should prove he owns the property listed in this suit and prove the loss and damages he will incur if I retain them,” said Sabir.

The case between Sabir and Noorein comes at a time their father is fighting to save his other franchise, Unga Millers Limited, over a Sh2.7 billion unpaid loans from banks.

On May 20, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) issued a notice to take over the management of Unga Millers Limited over Sh1 billion loan.

SERVICE STATION

The firm is currently under a new management KCB has appointed. However, National Bank of Kenya and National Finance Corporation have also laid claim to the firm.

Sabir claims he is the bona fide owner of the trailers and the three fuel tankers registered under TSS Pop Service Station that is owned by their father. But Noorein has also laid claim on the firm in Nairobi.

 He accused Noorein of fraudulently transferring the vehicles belonging to the service station to his company, Transmara Logistics.

Sabir also accused Noorein and Fatma of convening an illegal meeting during which the vehicles were transferred to his company.

However, Noorein claims he is the real owner of the motor vehicles warning he will suffer prejudice if his brother takes them away from him.

But in counter suit, Sabir’s lawyer said his client has no intention of unlawfully repossessing any vehicles lawfully belonging to his brother.

The court directed the matter be taken to the registry before the case is mentioned.