Prominent Zimbabwean lawyer, Advocate Dr Lewis Uriri, has turned down a luxury gift package worth about US$350,000 offered by businessman Wicknell Chivayo, citing professional independence, legal ethics and the need to preserve public confidence in the legal profession.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NBBSPIDEL.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
The package comprised a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography valued at about US$250,000, US$50,000 for fuel and another US$50,000 for Uriri’s wife, who is also a senior legal practitioner. The total package is equivalent to roughly KSh45 million at the conversion used by Kenyan reports on the offer.
Chivayo publicly announced the gifts on September 21, describing Uriri as a “Lawyer par excellence” and praising what he characterised as the advocate’s fearless and professional representation of him in previous legal matters.
Uriri, however, responded that neither he nor his wife had been consulted before the announcement and that the offer came as a complete surprise.
“Your announcement came as a complete surprise, without prior notice or discussion,” Uriri said.
He disclosed that he and Chivayo had not spoken since June 2024 and that he had performed no professional work for the businessman since then.
“For clarity, we last spoke in June 2024, and I have undertaken no professional work for you since then. The historical work to which your tribute refers was performed in my professional capacity and paid for in full. My remuneration was for services actually rendered,” he said.
Uriri explained that the value of the gifts, their stated connection with legal services rendered in the past and the length of time since his professional relationship with Chivayo made it necessary for him to examine the offer carefully.
He cited Zimbabwe’s Legal Practitioners’ Code of Conduct and broader principles governing the legal profession, saying lawyers are expected to protect their independence and avoid circumstances capable of creating an actual or perceived personal obligation that could compromise professional judgment.
Reports on his response said Uriri also referred to principles associated with the International Bar Association and the International Commission of Jurists concerning lawyers’ professional independence and freedom from conflicting personal interests.
Uriri said he and his wife had carefully considered the matter before reaching the decision to reject every component of the package.
“Please receive our decision in the respectful spirit in which it is conveyed. We appreciate the generosity expressed and your acknowledgment of my past work. Our decision is nevertheless firm: we will not accept the vehicle or either of the cash gifts,” he said.
“We wish you well and trust that you will understand and respect our position.”
The decision attracted considerable attention in Zimbabwe, particularly because Chivayo has become known for publicly announcing expensive gifts to religious leaders, entertainers and other personalities.
Uriri is a Zimbabwean advocate and senior counsel practising at the independent referral Bar. He serves as Head of Chambers at The Temple Bar in Harare and has handled commercial, constitutional and other high-profile litigation.
His refusal places emphasis on his position that legal services previously rendered to Chivayo had already been fully paid for and that accepting substantial additional benefits connected to those concluded services could raise questions about professional independence.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
