Havi seeks to control LSK bank accounts
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi yesterday moved to court seeking control of the organisation’s six bank accounts held at Standard Chartered Bank, following the exit of two council members who were signatories.
Under a Certificate of Urgency, Havi wants the number of signatories mandated to operate the bank accounts to be reduced from four council members to two.
He fears that the operations of the organisation may be brought to a halt, should the court not grant the orders.
The signatories of the accounts are LSK Vice-President Carolyne Kamende, Roseline Odede, Bernard Ng’etich and LSK CEO Mercy Wambua.
Any three of the signatories can sign documents. However, Odede resigned and Ng’etich was suspended as council members on January 18, 2021, during a Special General Meeting whose resolutions are subject to a court dispute. This left only two signatories.
In his court papers, Havi says there is need for the two remaining signatories namely Kamende and Wambua to be granted authority, to operate the accounts and make transactions necessary for the financial obligations of LSK, pending replacement of Odede and Ng’etich.
“A declaration be issued that Kamende and Wambua be mandated to operate the LSK six bank accounts, outside the operating mandate requiring three signatories and make transactions, necessary for the financial obligations of the plaintiff,” says Havi in the court papers.
He is also seeking an order that a correct account of all financial transactions relating to the six accounts and all supporting documents verified by the accountant and internal auditor of LSK, be filed in court on a monthly basis.
Last week, LSK informed the court it has appointed two auditors to undertake a forensic audit of its financial boo ks, following claims of misappropriation of funds running to millions of shillings.
Havi told justice Weldon Korir that the audit is as a resolution passed in the recent meeting, which was marked by chaos leading to court cases challenging the resolutions.
