CFC Stanbic bid to sell Karuturi’s assets has been halted by the High Court.
High Court Justice Francis Tuiyott on Tuesday 22nd May 2018 allowed CFC Stanbic receivers to continue evaluating the Expression of Interests proposals from applicants but not sell the assets as earlier advertised.
“…the process of evaluation of expression of interest that may have been commenced by the Defendants shall proceed but no sale of the assets shall be concluded until 14th June 2018, when the parties herein are due to appear before the court of Appeal in respect to the application under rule 5 (2) of the Court of Appeal Rules,” read the court order issued by Justice Tuiyott.
CFC Stanbic, through its receiver managers on May 2 advertised for sale of some of the movable assets which include 14,00 greenhouse irrigation equipment, generators, cold storage units, farm tools, motor vehicles and IT equipment.
Karuturi saw the move to advertise for the sale of the asset as prejudicial and contempt of court as it had already lodged an appeal against the decision of the High Court made on 19th January 2018 that gave the bank the green light to auction Karuturi assets if the owners fail to clear Sh1.8 billion debts owed to the lender in 90 days.
Karuturi, through Phoenix Group, have made public intent to repay CFC’s original debt of USD 4.04 million plus reasonable interest. However, they accuse CFC Stanbic of irregularly demanding for USD 24 million amounting to 600percent of the loan advanced.