Court seeks proof of Nakheel's Dubai World link

Dubai: The Dubai Appeals Court yesterday asked the Dubai Public Prosecution (DPP) to submit documents proving that Nakheel belongs to Dubai World in a graft case involving two former Nakheel executives.

Presiding Judge Eisa Al Sharif adjourned the case until November 22, the date when DPP will have to present to the court a document proving that Nakheel is indeed a subsidiary of Dubai World.

The Appeals Court judgment was scheduled to be pronounced yesterday upon 28-year-old Egyptian sales executive K.M. and 32-year-old Emirati general sales manager W.J., both former Nakheel executives.

"The incident was directed by a Nakheel executive who made every possible effort to complete the deal and obtain a medal of bravery. It was a trap. My client is not guilty," said Saeed Al Gailani arguing on behalf of K.M.

Defending W.J., advocate Hussain Al Jaziri said: "The crime and the charges have been made up. W.J. is not guilty and he didn't commit any financial irregularity. A group of employees from Nakheel made up this case against W.J. Law enforcement procedures that were carried out in this case were unlawful because the incident happened without the involvement and/or acknowledgment of any law enforcement officer."

Advocates Al Jaziri and Al Gailani argued that Nakheel is a private sector company and not a public undertaking to which DPP's representative contended that Nakheel is a public sector company, being a subsidiary of Dubai World.

The Dubai Court of First Instance had earlier sentenced W.J. and K.M., former Nakheel executives, to three years each in jail and ordered them to pay a joint fine of Dh3.081 million.