Kampala — THE High Court yesterday ordered Mohammad Mohammad Hamit (Jr), the chairman of Aya Investments, to appear in court on Monday, over claims that the firm paid its former lawyer's legal fees.

The court also ordered Esther Ssemakula, the firm's legal officer, to appear in court on the same day over similar claims.

Aya Investments is challenging a court decree compelling it to pay $4m (sh4.4b) to Muzamiru Kibeedi, the company's former lawyer.

The court also ordered Apollo Mutaswera-Ntalirwa, the Government handwriting expert, to appear in court over a report that Kibeedi's signature had been forged on documents that show payment by the firm.

Peter Mukidi Walubiri, Kibeedi's lawyer, had asked court to cross-examine Hamit and Ssemakula, saying their affidavits contained falsehoods.

Kibeedi had earlier obtained a decree to attach the firm's property at Nakasero in Kampala.

He said he rendered professional services to the company from April to November 2007 during which he helped the firm secure a $41.5m (sh70 trillion) loan, but he was not paid.

Kibeedi said it was agreed that he would be remunerated at 5% under the remuneration rules of the Advocates Act that entitled him to be paid legal fees.

But Aya Investments applied to the court to stop the attachment and sale of their property, claiming that they had paid him in full.

They also sought permission to appeal against the order that allowed Kibeedi to sell their property.