Aideed's Release Questioned

A Nairobi businessman, Ijaz Ganjee Wednesday questioned the manner in which Somali faction leader Hussein Aideed was released from civil jail without any leave from the court.

Lawyer Job Thiga for Ganjee now wants the High Court to order the arrest of Aideed so that he can settle the 15 million shilling debt.

Lady Justice Mary Kasango ordered that Aideed be served with today’s certificate of urgency and scheduled the hearing date for June 5th.

In April 1997, Ganjee entered into a contract with Aideed, in which he provided communication facilities, accommodation and covered other personal expenses, at a price of over nine million shillings.

Following Aideed’s reluctance to pay, Ganjee moved to court in 1999 and sued Aideed for breach of contract.

Aideed was arrested May 20th and was released on May 24th after the Kenya’s Ambassador to Somali, Mohammed Abdi Afey, deposited a letter ensuring his appearance before the court.

Hussein Aideed, the son of the late General Farah Aideed, took over the leadership of Somali’s National Alliance after his father’s death and has been in Kenya since October 2002 for the Somali Peace talks.