Maputo, 27 Jul (AIM) – The Disciplinary Council of Mozambique’s Bar Association (OAM) has decided to suspend six lawyers for 10 years for allegedly receiving illegal sum of 39 million meticais (560, 000 US dollars at the current exchange rate).
The lawyers in question are Milú Viana, Ivan Pontavida, Pereira Ferramenta and Aníbal Quetane, who were sanctioned with 10 years suspension. While Anabela Lemos and Laurindo Saraiva were sanctioned with a suspension of nine years and eight months.
The proceedings stem from the insolvency of company Cimentos da Beira, declared in March 2022 by the central Provincial Court of Sofala in the context of an action brought by Logo Engineering. In 2024, the company’s management was transferred to Anabela Lemos as a legal official.
In a statement, the Bar Association revealed that there was violation of duties regarding integrity, independence, and professional probity, as well as collusion among parties involved in the insolvency proceedings; conflicts of interest; and the commission of acts incompatible with the role of insolvency administrator.
“There was illegal transfer carried out by legal professional Anabela Lemos in her capacity as administrator of approximately 39 million meticais from the company’s accounts to C&C Consulting, ostensibly as payment for services rendered. This sum was subsequently transferred to the bank accounts of six lawyers involved in the proceedings”, reads the statement.
The Bar Association analyzed electronic communications, banking documents and contracts and found out involvement of lawyers in various acts related to the administration of the insolvent estate.
“In collusion with Dr. Saraiva, Dr. Anabela Lemos fabricated and arranged for the publication of false documents. All those involved in the case acted in violation of the duties of integrity, probity, dignity, and professional prestige set forth in the Statute of the Bar Association. The acts committed by the respondents caused serious loss to the insolvent estate and dealt a fatal blow to the prestige, dignity, and public trust regarding the administration of justice and the practice of law in Mozambique”, reads the document.
