The High Court has found businessman Abdullahi Mohamed Mohamud guilty of contempt of court for disobeying orders barring him from accessing or interfering with the operations of Roshan Energies Limited at disputed premises.
Justice Peter Mulwa ruled that Mohamud had violated court orders issued on August 28, 2025, which prohibited him from disrupting the company's activities at the property.
“In light of the foregoing analysis, the Plaintiff's Notice of Motion dated 22nd November 2025 is merited and is hereby allowed,” the judge ruled.
The court formally cited Mohamud for contempt and directed the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Embakasi Police Station to ensure compliance with the existing orders and provide security for the company's personnel and property.
Court ruling on contempt of court
The dispute concerns premises where Roshan Energies was developing a petrol station and convenience store. The company and plaintiffs Abdiaziz Ali Hassan and Abdifatah Mohamed, through their lawyer Cecil Miller, accused Mohamud of continuing to assert control over the property despite the court orders.
According to the applicants, the alleged violations included the destruction of company property and confrontations involving security personnel. Some officers reportedly sustained injuries and required medical attention.
The plaintiffs further told the court that Mohamud had been charged at the Makadara Law Courts with conspiracy to commit a felony in connection with the alleged destruction of the company's property.
Mohamud denied the contempt allegations, maintaining that he had complied with the court's directives. He argued that his presence at the premises was intended to report alleged vandalism to the police and also claimed an ownership interest in the disputed property.
Details of the dispute
In determining the application, Justice Mulwa held that the court orders were clear and that Mohamud had been served with them. The judge emphasised that a party dissatisfied with a court order must seek its review or appeal against it rather than take matters into their own hands.
The court found that the evidence demonstrated continued interference with the premises and the company's operations, amounting to deliberate disobedience of lawful orders.
The plaintiffs had sought Mohamud's committal to civil jail for six months, compensation for damaged property and medical expenses, as well as police intervention to secure the premises.
Plaintiffs' claims and court response
However, the court declined to award compensation for the alleged losses, noting that the amounts claimed required specific proof. The plaintiffs were granted liberty to pursue the claims separately.
In its final orders, the court directed, “The Defendant be summoned to appear before this court to show cause why he should not be committed to civil jail for contempt of court. That the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Embakasi Police Station, is hereby ordered to ensure compliance with the court orders of 28th August 2025 and to provide security to the Plaintiff's personnel and property.”
The summons requires Mohamud to explain why he should not be committed to civil jail. The question of that additional sanction therefore remains for determination by the court.
