Former Fisheries Minister and Fishrot accused, Bernard Esau, says he is a victim of his co-accused and had nothing to do with their offenses.

Esau is pleading with the court to release him on bail based on new facts.

Esau, through his lawyer, Richard Metcalfe, has presented new facts indicating that the investigation into the matter is now complete, and hence there is no threat of interference. In addition, two of the cases he faces have been joined with disclosure, revealing a larger bundle of files and indictments, memoranda, and substantive facts in addition to the 342 that the state wants to call, implying a lengthy trial, which violates the applicant's right to a fair and speedy trial.

Esau has been in detention already for about two and a half years after his last failed bail application, which his lawyer says is notwithstanding the extradition that still needs to be carried out in respect of his foreign co-accused.

Esau is also of the view that the disclosure by the state points to a weaker case against him, as he is being incriminated by association, and that he will prove to the court that he has nothing to do with the offenses he is being accused of.

Esau says he was being used by his co-accused.

The former minister is now shifting the goalposts by accusing his co-accused of abusing his good name and taking advantage of his ministerial status to canvass deals with Samerji.

Metcalfe also told the court that his client's medical condition and his personal circumstances have since deteriorated while in prison.

Esau has since taken the stand for cross and chief examination.