Criminal Court to Charge Prince Shah Karim Al-Husayni for Theft and Fraud Related Cases in Uganda

Prince Shah Karim Al-Husayn Sha, the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, owner of Diamond Trust Bank Group has been summoned by The Criminal Court in Uganda to answer charges of theft, electronic fraud, making false entries in financial ledgers, computer misuse, uttering false documents and conspiracy to commit felony alongside his staff: Group C.E.O and M.D DTB Africa Nassim Mohamed Devji, C.E.O DTB Uganda VARGHESE THAMBI, and Head Of Credit DTB Uganda JOHN SITAKANGE.

This is the second time Diamond Trust Bank Top Management has been summoned. In May 2021, the M.D was summoned by the Financial Intelligence for Money Laundering Related investigations. This is on the back of alleged illegal and dubious debit transactions from Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu and Ham Enterprises U Ltd.’s bank accounts over a spread period of 10 years.

The four are on 28th September 2021 required to appear before Buganda Road Magistrate’s court to take plea on charges of theft contrary to section 254 of the Penal Code Act Cap 120, making false entries in financial ledgers contrary to section 47 (1) and (3) of the financial Institutions Act of 2004.

They are also accused of electronic fraud contrary to section 19 of the computer misuse Act, uttering false documents contrary to section 351 of the Penal Code Act 120 and conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to section 360 of Penal Code Act 120.

According to Mr.Kiggundu's affidavit, the top bank managers superintendent illegal and unlawful transactions of Shs 34,295,951,553 and $23,467,670 from his bank accounts.

Court in Kampala has issued criminal summons against Prince Karim Al-Husayn Shah, the Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan fund for Economic Development, and three Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) officials in an ongoing case.

“The above persons who are the directing mind of the bank had knowledge of illegal transactions and they bear criminal liability for the approval and concurrence in committing the deception and fraud on the complainant’s accounts,” reads part of the affidavit.

Ham Enterprises founder Mr.Kiggundu in his affidavit swore that the four do not meet the criteria and they are not fit and proper persons to own, control and manage a bank or any other financial institutions in accordance with the 3rd schedule of the Financial Institutions Act, 2004.

In March last year, Ham dragged both banks to court for dubiously debiting over Shs 120 billion from his accounts without his consent. The Bank acknowledged not having an operational license permitting to operate in Uganda as required by law on Court records and in a landmark Judgement of 7th October 2021 The High Court convicted Diamond Trust Bank Uganda and Kenya for Violating the Financial Institutions Acts of Both Uganda and Kenya and also Violating the Banking regulations among other illegalities committed.

The High Court ordered DTB to immediately pay the bank the over Ugx. 120 million ($39 million) that it had illegally debited with an annual interest rate of 8%. Diamond Trust Bank appealed and on 5th May 2021, the appellant judges left the bank with an illegality burden which has since escalated into theft and fraud charges.

This article originally appeared in All Africa.

Photo: File