Samson claimed that the defendants, his mother, Almaz Zewde, and siblings, including his brother, Shawel, along with Anteneh, Nadew, and Yamrot, have failed to pay his "rightful dividends," ignoring repeated requests for accountability, and withholding what he claims is his inheritance. The legal wrangle intensified with Samson’s claim that he is entitled to additional shares once held by his late brother, Pele, who passed away after their father’s death and whose interest in the estate, Samson claims, has not been adequately recognised.

Samson contends that 2,743 shares in Samson Sports Plc were transferred to Shawel only temporarily in an era of political unrest, part of a broader process to safeguard the family’s assets should Hailu’s high-profile political activities draw unwanted attention. According to Samson’s affidavit, the initial intention was to register these shares under Pele, the youngest son, but the shares eventually ended up in Shawel’s name.

Samson appealed to judges that the shares belonged to him and the late Pele, arguing that the registration under Shawel was never meant to be permanent. He appealed to the Court to restore 274.3 of those shares, interest dating back to mid-2017, and to buy out his shares on the grounds that his position in the family enterprise had become "untenable."

The case extends beyond the immediate question of Laphto Mall’s shares. Samson also claims the family has two houses in the Lafto District, one on 1,928Sqm and another on 1,258Sqm, which should be partially his, equivalent to 10.03pc ownership. He seeks 865,308.18 Br, which he says is his share of 9.4 million Br held in Nib International Bank and the Bank of Abyssinia accounts belonging to his late father. Included in Samson’s demands is a tranche of 792 shares in the Bank of Abyssinia, which he claims encompass inheritances from both Hailu and Pele.

Court documents also reveal he is pressing for payouts on 44 shares from Shawel Consult International Plc and 53 shares from Agrimecs Share Company, part of the late Hailu’s initial portfolio of 500 shares across different companies.

Samson alleges in his lawsuit that Almaz and Shawel, who hold a majority shares in Laphto Mall, "mismanaged corporate finances" and have "jeopardised the interests of other shareholders by diverting company and rental income for personal use." The lawsuit alleges that dividends have not been distributed as required, leaving Samson to question the corporate structure built by his late father. He appealed for an official audit of company finances and a full accounting of the dividends he claims should have been paid since 2017, the year the inheritance was registered.

Court filings reveal Samson’s appeal for an immediate release of 10 million Br. He claims an urgent need for knee treatment in Bangkok, Thailand, which he says involves procedures necessary for his health and cannot be delayed while legal proceedings continue.

The Ethio-Alliance Advocates legal team, representing Samson, has summoned three witnesses — Bethlehem Ashenafi, Samson Hailu, and Firehiwot Mekonnen — to substantiate the allegations.

PUBLISHED ON Jan 19,2025 [ VOL 25 , NO 1290]

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