Wanted Controversial Businessman cum Fake Lawyer Nazir Jinnah Arrested At JKIA As He Plotted Dubai Escape

Embattled English Point Marina director intercepted minutes before boarding Emirates flight following DCI stop order

Controversial businessman Nazir Bhadurali Nurmohamed Jinnah was dramatically arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) yesterday evening, just minutes before boarding an Emirates flight to Dubai, in what investigators believe was an attempt to flee the country amid mounting legal troubles.

The arrest of the English Point Marina director came after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) issued a stop order against him following his implication in an ongoing forgery case.

Sources close to the investigation revealed that Jinnah was intercepted by a joint team of DCI officers and Immigration officials at Terminal 1B’s international departures lounge, moments before he was set to board Emirates flight EK722 bound for the United Arab Emirates.

“He is a person of interest in an ongoing matter,” a senior investigator confirmed, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.

A Pattern of Deception

The arrest marks the latest chapter in Jinnah’s troubled legal saga, which has seen him embroiled in multiple controversies spanning over a decade.

Most recently, in April 2024, Jinnah was fined Sh250,000 by Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego for impersonating a lawyer from the prestigious Khaminwa & Khaminwa Advocates.

The impersonation charges stemmed from allegations that between 2013 and 2017, Jinnah falsely presented himself as an advocate of the High Court and an associate of Khaminwa & Khaminwa Advocates, with intent to defraud Harbas Singh Birdi.

Investigations revealed that for at least a decade, Nazir made millions in legal fees while posing as a distinguished lawyer with reputable law firms.

What makes Jinnah’s case particularly audacious is that he acted as the legal director in the KCB case which ultimately blew his cover, representing his own interests in the English Point Marina dispute while masquerading as qualified legal counsel.

The English Point Marina Saga

Central to Jinnah’s legal woes is the protracted battle over English Point Marina, a prestigious waterfront development in Mombasa. The English Point Marina, which was designated as a Vision 2030 project under Kenya’s long-term development blueprint, includes 107 luxurious apartments for sale, eight penthouses and a 26-room hotel.

The property has been at the center of a bitter dispute with KCB Group, which placed Pearl Beach Hotels Limited—the owning real estate firm—under statutory management due to an outstanding debt of Sh5.2 billion.

KCB Group has seized multiple properties belonging to the embattled owners, including the Diani-based Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa, as the owners failed to meet their payment obligations despite restructuring attempts.

In a desperate move that further damaged his credibility, Jinnah accused KCB Group of money laundering Sh69 billion from South Sudan through the hotel’s accounts—allegations that investigators say were part of a broader strategy to deflect attention from his own questionable activities.

Family Feuds and Fraud Allegations

Adding another layer of complexity to the saga, the English Point Marina development is embroiled in a family feud, with Mr Amyn Kanji, who claims to have built it with his own finances, asking police to probe his brother Alnoor, sister-in-law Nafisa and Mr Nazir Jinnah for fraud.

Pearl Beach Hotels Limited faces investigations for alleged theft through fraudulent billing of apartment owners, with a group of 12 buyers pursuing a civil suit against the property developer.

A forensic audit by KCB is expected to examine whether the firm’s directors misappropriated funds, something that could border on criminal offences.

Media Manipulation Attempts

Jinnah’s desperation became evident when he was accused of attempting to influence public opinion by planting fake stories in the media to discredit KCB, efforts intended to create confusion and tarnish the bank’s reputation.

These attempts at media manipulation ultimately failed to change the narrative and instead further exposed his questionable methods.

Yesterday’s arrest suggests that Jinnah may have been attempting to flee the country as investigations intensified.

The timing of his attempted departure—just as new forgery charges were being finalized—indicates a calculated effort to evade justice.

The fact that he was specifically targeting Dubai, a destination known for its complex extradition procedures, raises further questions about his intentions.

Immigration officials confirmed that Jinnah had all necessary travel documents for his intended journey to the UAE, suggesting the trip was planned rather than spontaneous.

However, the DCI’s swift action in issuing the stop order prevented what could have been a successful escape from Kenya’s justice system.

The case highlights broader concerns about the ease with which individuals can impersonate legal professionals in Kenya, potentially defrauding unsuspecting clients for years.

It also raises questions about due diligence in high-value property transactions and the need for stricter verification procedures.

The English Point Marina saga has become emblematic of the challenges facing Kenya’s real estate sector, where ambitious developments can become mired in legal disputes, family feuds, and allegations of financial impropriety.

The case has also affected innocent buyers who invested in the luxury apartments, only to find themselves caught in a web of legal battles and uncertain property rights.

Jinnah is expected to be arraigned in court where he will face the new forgery charges, adding to his already substantial legal troubles.

As investigations continue, authorities are expected to probe deeper into the English Point Marina financial arrangements and examine whether other individuals may have been complicit in the alleged fraudulent activities.

The arrest of Nazir Jinnah at JKIA represents not just the capture of an alleged fraudster, but a symbolic victory for Kenya’s efforts to ensure that those who seek to manipulate the system face the full force of the law, regardless of their perceived status or resources.

*This is a developing story. More updates will follow as they become available.*