Swazuri team free until Lomolo contempt case is decided

National Land Commission chairman Mohamed Swazuri and three commissioners deposited Sh400,000 with a court to secure their freedom awaiting hearing of an application to set aside a contempt judgement against them.

Environment and Land Judge Justice Sila Munyao also gave Lomolo (1962) Limited 14 days to file their reply to the application by Mr Swazuri and commissioners Tomiik Mbuya, Abigail Mbagaya and Emma Muthoni Njogu.

It seeks to overturn the contempt judgement that requires them to pay Sh250,000 each or be arrested and escorted to Nakuru GK Prison to serve the three month jail term each.

Yesterday, Lawyer Patricia Mitei for Lomolo pleaded for time saying they were not ready to proceed with the application since they had just been served.

Earlier, Justice Munyao had criticised the commissioners for defiantly discussing a matter under litigation even after they were warned by lawyers representing Lomolo of a court injunction’s existence.

Yesterday, NLC told the court that they had complied with last Tuesday’s order where Sh400,000 was deposited as directed by court pending the hearing of their application in which they seek to convince the court they were never served with the summons to attend court to defend themselves.

Lawyer John Githui had sought orders to have the four cited for contempt saying they declined to heed the stoppage order and proceeded to advertise the Lomolo issue inviting parties in the dispute to their headquarters.

Yesterday, the Kombeiywo community applied to be enjoined as parties to the suit saying their properties were being destroyed by bulldozers following an order that declared the parcel private and owned by Lomolo (1962) Limited.

The case will be heard on June 11.