Lawyer, client on each other’s necks: Mwalabu accusing Taulo of swindling him
Former Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) student, Moses Michael Mwalabu, and private practice lawyer, Oscar Asima Taulo, are on each other’s necks over allegations the latter has levelled against Taulo.
Mwalabu – a proud former street kid – is accusing Taulo of swindling him over K3 million in legal costs he was awarded by the court in a case he was tussling with LUANAR management over his dismissal from the college just as he was about to graduate.
He told Nyasa Times in an interview on Thursday evening that he has been to the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and the Office of the Ombudsman, but he is yet to get the much-sought after assistance.
“I thought that Taulo could have a heart and feel sorry for me because I have nothing to start from after graduating from college. I am struggling with life,” complained Mwalabu.
Taulo confirmed to have represented Mwalabu, but parried away his claims, saying the then client had no share in what was awarded by the court.
“The court awarded lawyer’s fees known as party and party costs, which according to agreements and legal practitioners fees we are entitled to keep. He went to complain to Malawi Law Society where he was properly advised that we were entitled to keep the fees,” explained the legal practitioner.
Taulo threatened legal action against his former client.
“I am going to sue him for defamation. It is very sad that someone that had nothing and could not afford even lawyer’s fees but I helped him has decided to embarrass me. Mwalabu was about to take his life if I had not encouraged him and gave him hope,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mwalabu said he has left everything in the hands of the Ombudsman to investigate and give proper direction.
Sometimes people can just have “Umunthu” don’t just dwell on the fact that the law or whatever it is , slows us to keep that fee money. If you take 1 million out of 3 & give the lad what can you lose???? Instead you will gain more but greed always one to think in reverse motion. Honestly speaking lawyers are always not to be trusted if there are lawyers that are of balanced thinking when it comes to money are very few. The rest are like conmen using hiding behind the law.
Mr. Mwalabu go ahead and graduate. The rest is the Lord’s Battle. You can not tussle with these demons.
Much as these lawyers are rotten, but did Mwalabu pay for hiring the lawyers? If the lawyers had lost the case, who would have paid the court costs, the lawyers or Mwalabu? We need to look at this with sober minds.
Po bono
Legal fees, I understand Taulo’s argument koma mukanamunyemela pang’ono mwanayu. I think the courts should have been clear on how the loot should have been shared if they wanted to indicate that the student also deserved a cut from the same. As for Taulo, do not sue him, he is a bit derrangued from his state of affairs and it woul be counter productive and waste of your precious time and resources. You will get him in jail…so what ??? he does not have a penny to pay you..forget it and mninkheni kangachepe and make it clear it is not… Read more »
Onse okuba me thinks.
Have mercy and feel pity for the poor folk plse
I dont know much about this particular case but most of Malawi’s lawyers are greedy crooks. Its basically an unregulated trade and the role of the MLS is basically to look the other way and protect its own. Even judges are oocketing money daily to frustrate even petty little cases. Shameful!
Mmh anzanga mwana osamnyemerako pang’ono nonse? Mdyera lanji iri? Mpaka mumsumirenso, alibetu ndalama mwanayu mukamuiriranso, kapenatu?