Fishrot accused Nigel Van Wyk will hear tomorrow if Judge Moses Chinhengo will recuse himself from presiding over the largest corruption scandal Namibia has seen.

Van Wyk, through his lawyer Mbanga Siyumunji, applied for the recusal of Chinhengo, citing bias and fear of not receiving a fair trial.

Since the Fishrot matter broke in 2019, it has continued to face hurdles.

The trial has been marred by numerous interlocutory applications, failed bail applications, and lengthy postponements.   

The ongoing Fishrot trial has been suspended again after defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji filed a recusal motion against Judge Moses Chinhengo.

Siyomunji's client, Nigel Van Wyk, accuses Chinhengo of bias in his application, saying that he fears an unfair trial with Chinhengo on the bench.

The recusal of Judge Chinhengo was first brought to the fore when some accused persons wanted an extended postponement of the matter, citing a lack of funds to secure legal representation of their choice.

High Court judge David Munsu is set to deliver his ruling on the bail application of two Fishrot accused persons.

Former Fisheries Minister Bernhardt Esau and Nigel Van Wyk will hear on Tuesday if their pleas for liberty will be granted.

In his bail application, Esau consistently stated that he was never involved in the allocation of quotas or fishing rights and depended on his senior staff, including the then permanent secretary, Ulitala Hiveluah, to do the administrative work.

He would just sign off on it, he stated.