Lebanese widow can be pursued for husband's role in $2bn corruption scandal

In 2023, Mozambique filed a lawsuit against Iskandar Safa and his company Privinvest at the High Court in London, accusing them of paying over $136 million in bribes to secure favorable contracts in the so-called "tuna bonds" corruption scandal. Privinvest was accused of selling state-owned fishing boats and equipment at inflated prices after making bribes. Mozambique was left with a $2 billion debt, which severely impacted its economy when the scandal was exposed.

Mr Safa appeared in court while he was battling cancer and later died in January 2024 at the age of 68. In December 2024, a judge ruled that Privinvest must pay $534 million plus interest of $40 million to Mozambique. The court also allowed Mozambique to include Safa's widow, Clara Martinez Thedy de Safa, in the claim, as Mr Safa had not left a legally valid will. According to Lebanese law, the next of kin automatically inherits both the assets and debts of the deceased.

Safa's legal representative, Robert Howe KC, argued that the English court should not have jurisdiction over claims against a person serving as the administrator of an overseas estate. However, Lord Justice Miles ruled that under Lebanese law, there is no concept of an estate, and the inheritance by the heir is automatic and immediate upon death.

As such, the claim against Mrs Safa could be heard in an English court, and her appeal was dismissed. The specific sum that Mrs Safa inherited or is liable for will be determined during future hearings.