Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amuddin has won a lawsuit filed against Mr. Abnet G/Meskel, demanding the return of 75 million birr, which was allegedly “given” to the Prosperity Party.
The case, brought before the Federal High Court by Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amuddin, sought the return of funds donated to various government entities, including the 75 million birr in question. On October 5, 2017, the court ruled in favor of Sheikh Al-Amuddin, ordering Mr. Abnet to pay a total of 852 million birr, as per court documents.
From 2004 to 2013, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amuddin, through the National Oil Company of Ethiopia, entrusted Mr. Abnet with handling over 852 million birr, representing his 70% share of profits from the company. These funds were deposited into Mr. Abnet’s bank account, with the expectation that they would be managed appropriately.
However, the court documents revealed that portions of these funds were used as “gifts” to various institutions and officials, including the Prosperity Party. Sheikh Al-Amuddin contended that he never authorized Mr. Abnet to distribute these funds as donations, and therefore sought their return.
According to the case files seen by Wazema, the 852 million birr deposited in Mr. Abnet’s account was meant to go to Sheikh Al-Amuddin as part of his profit share from the National Oil Ethiopia Company. However, over 581 million birr was distributed to various government officials and institutions, including 75 million birr to the Prosperity Party, 120 million birr to the Addis Ababa City Administration Social Trust Fund, 5 million birr to the Federal Police, and 7 million birr to the Information Security Network Agency, as noted in the court documents.
Sheikh Al-Amuddin argued that Mr. Abnet acted outside of his authority by making these payments and demanded the return of the funds. Mr. Abnet, in his defense, claimed that he was only acting as a representative and fulfilling his duties when making these payments.
The Federal High Court, after reviewing the case, ruled in favor of Sheikh Al-Amuddin, ordering Mr. Abnet to pay 852,462,650 birr, including the 75 million birr paid to the Prosperity Party.
