A Chinese firm, Wang Wang Centre Ltd, has emerged victorious in a long-running legal dispute over the ownership of a Sh400 million property located in Upper Hill Estate, Nairobi. The dispute, which has been ongoing for over 11 years, came to an end following a ruling by Justice Oscar Angote of the Environment and Land Court division.
In his judgment, Justice Angote declared that Wang Wang Centre Ltd is the legitimate owner of the property, based on the evidence presented in court. The judge issued a permanent order prohibiting the plaintiff, Trikuti Investments Ltd, from selling, alienating, or trespassing onto the disputed land. He further stated that Trikuti Investments would not be allowed to interfere with Wang Wang’s use and occupation of the property.
The case revolves around conflicting claims to ownership of the property. Trikuti Investments Ltd, which has held the title deed since 1997, contended that it was the rightful owner and had been in possession of the property for decades. However, the company accused other parties involved in the case of falsifying the title documents and transferring ownership to Wang Wang Centre Ltd.
In his ruling, Justice Angote pointed out that Trikuti Investments had failed to produce the original conveyance or a certified copy from the Chief Land Registrar that would confirm its legal ownership. This lack of crucial evidence weakened the plaintiff’s case. In contrast, Wang Wang Centre Ltd was able to present substantial proof of its ownership, including sale agreements, transfer documents, and the property title. The court found that Wang Wang Centre Ltd was an innocent purchaser and had acted in good faith during the acquisition of the property.
Wang Cheng, a director of Wang Wang Centre Ltd, testified in court, revealing that the Chinese company purchased the land from Salat at a price of Sh230 million. The court’s decision underscored the importance of maintaining proper documentation in property transactions and highlighted the role of genuine evidence in settling ownership disputes.
The ruling marks a significant win for Wang Wang Centre Ltd and serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding property ownership in Kenya. With this judgment, the company can now fully assert its rights to the property in Upper Hill, ending a protracted legal battle that has lasted more than a decade.
