Former Fisheries Minister Bernhardt Esau is set to spend another Christmas in the confines of the Windhoek Correctional Facility, as High Court Judge David Munsu ruled that he would remain in custody pending trial.

The judge underscored Esau's clear and prominent involvement in all alleged syndicates linked to the Fishrot scandal, based on preliminary evidence presented by the state during bail proceedings.

On the other hand, Nigel Van Wyk, associated with the scandal through his employment at Shanghala's company, has been granted bail under stringent conditions.