One of the most notable and respected businessmen in Zambia, Dr. Rajan Mahtani recently hired reputed international law firm Omnia Strategy. The reason behind hiring of this law firm was a claim against Atlas Mara, a controversial banking and financial institutions in Zambia and in Africa established by even more controversial businessman Bob Diamond. Atlas Mara was established in the year 2013 with the objective of becoming banking giant in Africa. Atlas Mara under Bob Diamond went through several acquisitions in the following years since its establishment. One of these acquisitions was Finance Bank Zambia, a banking and financial institution established and led by Dr. Rajan Mahtani. The Finance Bank Zambia was taken over by Atlas Mara via an original share and sales agreement. However, according to the claim made by Dr. Rajan Mahtani, Atlas Mara did not honour this claim and Dr. Mahtani is still awaiting payment against the shares sold to Bob Diamond. On top of that, representatives from Atlas Mara alleged the claims made by Dr. Rajan Mahtani to be unsubstantiated.

Bob Diamond is a controversial businessmen who took over control of Dr. Mahtani’s Finance Bank Zambia in the year 2013. This was the time when Bob Diamond re-entered in Zambia after being ousted from CEO position at Barclays in 20132. This ouster was due to the infamous Livor-Rigging scandal in which Bob Diamond’s name emerged.

According to the claim established by Dr. Rajan Mahtani, Atlas Mara still owes him money from share sales of the Finance Bank Zambia. Apart from Dr. Rajan Mahtani, there are several other investors who are pursuing similar damage claim to the tune of 100 million euros. Since 2013, Atlas Mara shares have collapsed significantly. Despite stepping down as its Chairman in 2019, Diamond remained the non-Executive Director as well as largest shareholder of Atlas Mara. The claim by Dr. Rajan Mahtani comes at a time when Bob Diamond is attempting yet another comeback supported with USD 4.5 billion space-listing. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is expected to produce his case at the London High Court soon.