Businessman Pius Mbugua wanted over Sh4 million legal fees debt

The Environment and Lands Court has issued a warrant of arrest against billionaire Pius Mbugua Ngugi for failure to pay Sh4 million in legal fees to his former lawyers.

Deputy Registrar Cynthia Mercy Muhoro ordered the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Nairobi Central Police Station to immediately arrest Ngugi and commit him to civil jail for six months for continued disobedience of court orders to settle the debt.

The warrant follows a decree issued on May 9, 2025, in a case filed by Githogori and Harrison Associates Advocates LLP against the tycoon.

According to the court order, Mr Ngugi had been directed to pay the law firm Sh3,710,630.15 or be committed to a six-month civil jail term.

“Whereas Pius Mbugua Ngugi was adjudged by the decree of this court in the above-mentioned suit dated May 9, 2025, to pay the decree holder a sum of Sh3,710,630 or be committed to a jail term of six months …” the registrar ordered.

Court documents indicate that the total amount owed has since risen to Sh4,193,578 after additional costs were factored in.

The breakdown shows the original decretal sum of Sh3,710,630, with no payments made to date.

Interest amounts to Sh475,948, while further costs stand at Sh5,500 and court collection fees at Sh1,500.

The warrant authorises police officers to arrest Mr Ngugi and enforce the court orders.