Lawyer Taulo files  defamation suit against estranged client Mwalabu

Private practice lawyer Oscar Asima Taulo has sued his estranged client and former Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) student, Moses Michael Mwalabu, for defamation.

Oscar Taulo files lawsuit

Both Taulo and Mwalabu have confirmed the development in separate interviews, saying the suit originates from the allegation the latter made that the counsel swindled him of millions of kwacha.

Mwalabu – a proud former street kid – claims the High Court in Lilongwe awarded him over K3 million in legal costs 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 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 then.

But in a twist of events, Taulo has dragged his ex-client to court for alleged defamation.

The lawyer maintains that Mwalabu had no share in what was awarded by the court; hence, the

“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.

The summons Nyasa Times state that within 28 days after the service on Mwalabu, inclusive the day of service, the ex-client must satisfy the claim or file with the court a defence and list documents.

“If you do not intend to contest the proceedings, you must within 14 days after service of this summons…return the accompany response stating herein that you do not intend to contest the proceedings, but desire a stay of enforcement of judgment, if any?” reads the summons in part.

Mwalabu said he was disturbed with the turn of events. He said he never expected that the lawyer could sue him when he was simply asking for his entitled money.

In a separate interview, Martha Kaukonde of the Malawi Law Society said the society is interested to probe the alleged swindling incident.

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China
China
3 years ago

Munthu ovutika mukumupanga sue mulungu akhale nanu ndithu kungoonetsa mtima woipa

Tito
3 years ago

The kid is very wrong and lacks manners. The lawyer helped him for free and he cannot appreciate that? Legal cost are for the lawyers, that is the case anywhere in the world. He will be charged and may end up in prison.

Zeze Zeleza
3 years ago

Taulo, who doesn’t know you are a total thief. By the way, where did you go to school to graduate as a Lawyer? Are you not ashamed to swindle a poor student’s 3 million? You think because you are a Lawyer then you’ll always be successful with your lawsuits? Just give back the money and stop practicing as a Lawyer. All in all you don’t inspire us in your duty. This case you won it because it was a straight forward case. Shame on you!!!!

Ngombwax
Ngombwax
3 years ago

Hmm. Are the following indeed facts or fiction? 1) The kid sued Luanar. 2) The lawyer took up the case pro-bono and won. 3) The court demanded that Luanar pay the legal costs. 4) The kid wants part of the money awarded to the lawyer.

Are any or all of these “facts” accurate? In addition to legal costs, did the court award the kid any monies at all as part of the settlement? This should be very easy to find out.

Kamuzu Mbewe
Kamuzu Mbewe
3 years ago
Reply to  Ngombwax

Bwana, you are crystalizing the case so well. However, suing a broke student is a no brainer. You still have to spend time trying file for his bankruptcy. If I was the student, I would just receive the summons and use them as toilet tissue. No assets to be attached, no official residential address where they could serve the summons, ha ha ha!

CULTURE
CULTURE
3 years ago

Mbava za pa Malawi. Anzanu atenga 5 Billion yaulele ndi Mbava zinzanu Chakwela ndi Chilima. Entitled to keep. To keep for who? Mbava iwe. Mumangofuna kudyela anthu osauka, shame on you!!!!

Concerned Citizen
Concerned Citizen
3 years ago

I am certain this is the current trend in the legal profession, squander client’s money in the name of the law and misguided legal fees arguments; sad thing is Law Society keep sleeping to protect their own…The legal profession like Doctors, Engineers, etc first ought to exist to play a role in protecting human rights of citizens in the context of democracy and civic space…don’t be surprised if people will lose confidence in the legal system and its players.

Mulopwana
3 years ago

Musiyeni munthu wosauka uyu. Akuchedwetsani abwana

Wilson Nkwanda
Wilson Nkwanda
3 years ago
Reply to  Mulopwana

Defamation case against a poor fellow, if he doesn’t pay (which is likely), what would happen, send him to jail?
Iam numb.

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