- In cases filed at other courts, she also sought two other orders in matters relating to the disputed marriage, being freezing of assets and an order gagging her husband from leaving the country.
- The couple in dispute got married on November 5, 2013, through the Registrar of Marriages in Mombasa.
Image: FILE
The estranged wife to Ingvar Investment Limited director Sverre Ingvar Asmervic, has moved to court seeking equitable division of wealth in a divorce case.
Joyce Mueni George told the Mombasa Chief Magistrate's Court that the assets under the company's name ought to be shared.
"That the respondent is the director of Ingvar Investment Limited hence the assets, properties and accounts under the company’s name should be subject to equitable division," she stated.
In cases filed at other courts, she also sought two other orders in matters relating to the disputed marriage, being freezing of assets and an order gagging her husband from leaving the country.
The couple in dispute got married on November 5, 2013, through the Registrar of Marriages in Mombasa.
Before then, Mueni was a spinister while Ingrav was a divorcee.
They lived together for four years until 2017 when, due to irreconcilable issues they decided to separate.
In her court documents, Mueni listed the issues as that the man subjected her to contempt, disrespect and cruelty, causing her significant mental and psychological anguish.
She claimed that he also abandoned his marital duties to her due to alcoholism and promiscuity and would instigate unnecessary conflicts with insults.
Consequently, irreconcilable differences emerged that led to a breakdown in meaningful communication between them.
"As a result of irreconcilable differences caused by the respondent (Sverre), we separated, and I have filed herewith divorce proceedings on grounds of cruelty," she told the court.
Through her lawyer Elkana Mogaka, Mueni added that in the four-year marriage, she and Ingrav had acquired properties jointly.
Sometime after their separation, it is alleged that without a legal right or justification and without consulting Mueni, the man transferred their matrimonial properties, which are subject to equitable division.
As a result, Mueni moved to the Environment and Land Court, a matter which is still ongoing in the court and is slated to come up for directions on April 17.
When she first moved to the ELC in 2023, the court advised the two to agree pending its ruling.
Mueni however alleged that Sverre was stalling the matter to try to close his businesses and accounts and flee the country, so she filed a divorce matter.
In it, she sought to freeze all his accounts and assets in the country and trigger an investigation until the divorce is heard and determined.
She told the court that unless the orders sought are granted, Sverre will continue acting in a manner likely to prejudice the case and the equitable distribution of the matrimonial properties before the matter can be heard and determined.
"I stand to lose the fruits of our marriage and suffer irreparable loss and/or harm if the orders sought herein are not granted," she added.
Upon determination, Mombasa Magistrate Gathogo Sogomo ordered the parties to appear before Senior Resident Magistrate Lewis Gatheru on March 7.
A few days after filing for divorce, afraid of losing the assets they had developed together in the course of their marriage, she sought restraining orders at the High Court.
She told the court that the man might flee and transfer his monies to offshore accounts to evade the proper course of justice and prayed that he be restrained from leaving the court's jurisdiction.
"A restraining order be issued directing the director of immigration services to prevent, restrain and or deny the respondent from leaving the jurisdiction of the honourable court. An order be issued directing him to deposit his passport or in lieu deposit Sh20,000,000 before the court," the court papers read.
The matter was certified as urgent and High Court Judge Gregory Mutai ordered that the status quo currently be reserved pending a hearing scheduled for March 12, 2024.
Ingvar was given three days to file his responses to the application.