Mozambique President Nyusi fights for immunity in London ‘tuna bond’ case
LONDON – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has requested a London court to uphold his immunity as a shipbuilding company, Privinvest, tries to involve him in a high court case related to Mozambique’s tuna bond scandal. The shipbuilder is currently facing a $3.1-billion lawsuit from Mozambique, which alleges that Privinvest bribed officials and Credit Suisse bankers.
The High Court in London has yet to make a ruling on the case after a trial held last year. Prior to the trial, Mozambique reached a settlement with UBS, the new owner of Credit Suisse. However, Nyusi’s involvement in the case remains contentious.
Privinvest wants to sue President Nyusi for allegedly accepting $11 million in unlawful campaign payments, which the company claims were lawful. The shipbuilder argues that if the court deems the payments unlawful, Nyusi should bear responsibility for any damages that may be awarded.
During the court proceedings on Wednesday, lawyers representing Privinvest contended that Nyusi had been properly served with court papers when they were left at his presidential palace in 2021. They argued that as Nyusi did not claim immunity until 2023, he was out of time to make such a claim.
On the other hand, Nyusi’s lawyer argued that Privinvest was attempting to undermine his client’s immunity by asserting that he did not respond promptly to documents claimed to have been left at a security checkpoint at the presidential palace.
The allegations against Nyusi arise from Mozambique’s extensive lawsuit, initially filed against Credit Suisse, Privinvest, and others, regarding the tuna bond scandal. The lawsuit alleges that bribes were paid to secure favorable terms for three projects between 2013 and 2014, including one that aimed to exploit Mozambique’s rich coastal tuna resources.
Lawyers representing Privinvest and its late owner Iskandar Safa, who passed away on January 29, argue that Mozambique’s lawsuit is politically motivated.
Mozambique continues to seek justice and accountability for the alleged corruption and bribery surrounding the tuna bond scandal. The outcome of the London court’s ruling on President Nyusi’s immunity could have significant implications for the ongoing litigation.
This case shines a spotlight on the importance of transparency and the fight against corruption, not just in Mozambique but globally. It remains to be seen how the court will weigh President Nyusi’s immunity claim and the allegations against him. The ruling will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the individuals and entities involved in the tuna bond scandal.
As the proceedings unfold, the eyes of the world are watching, eager to see how justice will be served in this complex and politically charged case.
Disclaimer: This article is generated by an AI-powered tool specifically designed for providing information and should not be considered as legal advice. Only a qualified legal professional can offer guidance based on an individual or entity’s specific circumstances.
