Judge Shafimana Ueitele denies bail to six #fishrot accused

The six men implicated in the "Fishrot Scandal" will remain residents of the Windhoek Correctional Facility, after High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele denied them bail today (Friday). Ueitele says the court would rather not risk the obstruction of the course of justice by releasing the accused on bail based on ambiguous grounds. Ueitele stressed that the applicants relied on secondary grounds of violation of their rights, and failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that their continued detention is a violation of their constitutional rights. Allegations made by the applicants against the Anti-Corruption Commission's conduct during their arrests, are not well placed before the court and are irrelevant to be considered as grounds for bail, Ueitele further found. The accused are James Hatuikulipi, Sacky Shanghala, Mike Nghipunya, Pius Mwatelulo, Othniel Shuudifonya and Phillipus Mwapopi. The six men, together with four others, stand accused of misappropriating or benefitting from about N$317 million from dodgy fishing deals involving Fishcor and an Icelandic fishing company, Samherji.

Author
Daniel Nadunya Online Desk