The lead investigator of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Andreas Kanyangela, has again objected to the granting of bail to Tamson Hatuikulipi, one of the accused in the fishrot case.

Kanyangela says Hatuikulipi was key in assisting the Icelandic fishing company, Samherji, to gain access to fishing quotas which were allocated to three right holders.

Kanyangela, during cross-examination, told the court that a company owned by former Minister of Fisheries, Bernard Esau, and his wife were among those who received illicit funds from the fishrot-entangled DHC law firm, owned by Maren De Klerk.

In addition, he says, an entity in the name of Otjiwarongo Plot 51 CC, owned by Esau and his wife, was also one of the beneficiaries of money transferred from De Klerk's law firm.

The investigator further revealed that the company also owns a farm in the Otjiwarongo district and that the payments received from DHC were used to purchase and register the farm in question.

Kanyangela says he has also established that a strong connection existed between Hatuikulipi and his co-accused persons, such as Esau, his father-in-law, as well as his cousins, James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo, by virtue of being relatives.

Kanyangela says both James Hatuikulipi and Mwatelulo owned companies that were used to channel state funds that were obtained illegally.

He also revealed that Ndapandula Johana Hatuikulipi, the daughter of the former fisheries minister, owned Oholo Trading CC and Waaniilonga Investment CC.

Her husband, Kanyangela says, has an interest and that such entities also received payments from the Fishrot syndicate.

The State is represented by Senior Prosecutor Hezekiel Iipinge, while Hatuikulipi is represented by lawyer Richard Metcalfe.

The bail application hearing continues on Tuesday.