Popat sons get time to negotiate multi-billion shilling inheritance out of court
Top left, Imperial Bank chairman Alnashir Popat and Simba Corp chief executive Adil Popat (below). Inset is their late father billionaire Abdul Karim Popat. PHOTO | FILE
Two sons of the late tycoon Abdul Karim Popat have been given two months to reach an out-of-court settlement in a vicious battle over inheritance of their father’s multibillion-shilling business empire.
Mombasa High Court judge Mugure Thande has allowed Azim and Adil Popat until September 13 to strike a deal over how to share assets in the vast business empire their father built before his death in 2013.
The Canada-based Azim has sued Adil for allegedly taking the lion’s share of their father’s estate, and for failing to disclose several assets the senior Popat owned locally and abroad. But Adil maintains that he is executing a will the family patriarch prepared.
Justice Thande last week gave the brothers two months after they revealed that some negotiations have been initiated outside the courtroom that may see Adil and Azim withdraw the three year-old suit that has given a broad insight into the Popats’ wealth.
“Parties are to attempt mediation and report back to the court on September 13,” Justice Thande held.
Adil owns a significant stake in Simba Corporation which has several interests in the vehicle, hospitality and real estate industries. Among the firm’s key businesses are the five-star Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Westlands and Simba Motors.
Azim who lives in Vancouver, Canada, claims in the suit that Adil has even nicked some of the property and shares the senior Popat had intended to gift him.
Another brother —Alnashir — has sued Adil in the Royal Court of Guernsey in separate fight over hidden assets the senior Popat owned in the country that is commonly known to be a tax haven.
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