The High Court of Sierra Leone has granted an interim injunction in favour of local businessman and technology entrepreneur David Kpakima in a commercial dispute involving his foreign business partner, Davar Fazaeli.
The interim order was granted last Friday by Honourable Mrs. Justice Tonia Barnett, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting in the High Court. The injunction restrains actions that could prejudice Kpakima’s interests and those of the companies while the substantive matter is before the court.
Kpakima, a co-founder and partner in several companies including Zoodlabs, Metro Cable, Vult, FibreOne, and One Mobile, is represented by OJP Legal, with Osman Jalloh leading his case. Fazaeli is represented by a legal team led by Yada Williams.
According to court documents, Kpakima is challenging what he describes as his unilateral, illegal, and oppressive suspension from the daily operations of the companies, including his role as Chief Operating Officer. He alleges that the suspension is unlawful and prejudicial, and that it threatens the commercial viability of the businesses.
The application for the injunction was filed on 8 December 2025. Kpakima is seeking to restrain his business partner from taking steps that could alter the control or management of the companies pending the determination of the case.
Court filings further indicate that Kpakima disputes claims that his suspension was linked to alleged misappropriation of funds. Instead, he contends that the action was aimed at undermining his calls for accountability, transparency, and compliance with shareholders’ rights. He has also called for a forensic audit of the companies.
The court noted that the interim injunction does not determine the merits of the case but preserves the status quo while the dispute is heard. The filings suggest the matter centres on disagreements between shareholders who have made allegations against each other.
The case has been adjourned to Monday, 12 January 2026, for hearing of submissions, including objections raised by Kpakima’s lawyers over an alleged conflict of interest involving Fazaeli’s legal team, who are said to also act as retained solicitors for the companies.
