Exploiting a cancelled power of attorney to fraudulently take hold of his family business, which he coowned with his siblings, has landed a Bahraini man in hot water.
His fate now hinges on an impending appeal against a oneyear suspended jail term, set to be heard by the High Appeals Court soon.
The case began with a complaint lodged by his own brother, triggering an investigation that ultimately charged the suspect with the illicit transfer of business ownership.
Investigators found that the business, co-owned by the suspect and his siblings, was unlawfully shifted into his sole possession.
According to court documents, the defendant’s brother, acting on behalf of other heirs, initially granted him power of attorney to oversee business affairs.
However, this authority was later revoked, with the brother personally notifying the Ministry of Justice to annul the document.
Despite the clear revocation, the defendant stood accused of leveraging the voided power of attorney to effectuate the transfer of ownership through the online commercial registration system.
He purportedly submitted falsified documents, including the revoked power of attorney, alongside other requisites like the inheritance certificate and a formal power of attorney from all heirs.
Investigators asserted that the defendant knowingly manipulated government IT systems by inputting false data.
However, the defendant mounted an appeal, asserting his belief in the validity of the revoked power of attorney.
Now, the High Appeals Court stands poised to weigh the defendant’s arguments against the evidence presented.