Magistrate Linus Samunzala will deliver his ruling on the bail applications in the NAMCOR case on September 26.

The accused, including former NAMCOR employees and associates, were arrested by the ACC last month.

They face charges of fraud, theft and money laundering linked to transactions at the state-owned petroleum company.

During the bail hearing, State advocate Basson Lilungwe argued that the accused should remain in custody, saying they could interfere with witnesses or tamper with evidence.

Lilungwe said no accused person should be treated as a high-profile individual, stressing that everyone is equal before the law.

Responding to the defence, Lilungwe said concerns about alleged irregularities in the arrests should have been pursued in a separate court process.

He added that the current proceedings are for bail only and not a trial and that the charges remain preliminary and subject to amendment once the matter proceeds to trial.

Lilungwe acknowledged that ACC investigator Oberty Inambao may have given contradictory evidence during his testimony but argued that the inconsistencies were not material.

He also asked the court to attach less weight to affidavits submitted by Olivia Dunaiski and Leo Nandago, saying they were not cross-examined because they chose to give testimony by way of affidavits.

Defence lawyers countered that their clients were detained without cause and should be released.

Lawyer Ileni Gebhardt asked the court to deliver an ex tempore judgement, or oral decision, in the bail application of her client, Leo Nandago.

She concluded her arguments on Friday and told the court that Nandago is a suitable candidate for bail.

Magistrate Samanzula, however, did not entertain her request and postponed the matter for another five weeks for a ruling.

Also implicated in the same matter are Austin Elindi and Connie Van, including Panduleni Hamukwaya, their bail application is scheduled to start on Monday.