[2019] KECA 85 (KLR)

[2019] KECA 85 (KLR)

The Court of Appeal held that the learned Judge did not make a final determination on the issue of fraud at the interlocutory stage but properly considered whether the appellant and 6th respondent had established a prima facie case for injunctive relief. The court found that the charge in favour of Co-op Bank was...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2019] KECA 85 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Commercial Bank of Africa; Respondent: Wardpa Holdings Limited; Respondent: Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited; Respondent: Leakey’s Auctioneers; Respondent: Chief Land Registrar; Respondent: Patrick Kangethe Njuguna; Respondent: Equity Bank Limited; Respondent: Kinjunje Gardens Limited; Respondent: Margaret Wambui Kang’ethe
Court
Court of Appeal
Court Station
Court of Appeal at Nairobi
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Appeal 244 of 2018
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal From Interlocutory Injunction Ruling
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Judges
AM Githinji, F Sichale
Legal Topics
Priority of Charges, Fraud in Land Registration, Statutory Power of Sale, Injunctive Relief, Rectification of Register, Due Diligence in Lending
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Commercial and Corporate Priority of Charges Fraud in Land Registration Statutory Power of Sale Injunctive Relief Rectification of Register +1 more

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Parties

Commercial Bank of Africa

Appellant

Wardpa Holdings Limited

Respondent

Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited

Respondent

Leakey’s Auctioneers

Respondent

Chief Land Registrar

Respondent

Patrick Kangethe Njuguna

Respondent

Equity Bank Limited

Respondent

Kinjunje Gardens Limited

Respondent

Margaret Wambui Kang’ethe

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal From Interlocutory Injunction Ruling

  1. 1 Whether the appellant and 6th respondent established a prima facie case for grant of interlocutory injunction against the exercise of statutory power of sale by Co-op Bank.
  2. 2 Whether the principle of 'first in time prevails' applies where allegations of fraud exist in the registration of land charges.
  3. 3 Whether the learned Judge erred in determining issues of fraud at the interlocutory stage.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal held that the learned Judge did not make a final determination on the issue of fraud at the interlocutory stage but properly considered whether the appellant and 6th respondent had established a prima facie case for injunctive relief. The court found that the charge in favour of Co-op Bank was registered first and that the appellant's and 6th respondent's interests, if any, were secondary. There were no concrete facts pleaded or demonstrated to show fraud in the creation of Co-op Bank's charge that would affect the application of the principle of priority of charges. The court further held that any loss suffered by the appellant or 6th respondent could be compensated...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed with costs to the 2nd respondent (Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited).