Fitty awaits bail application fate
Only one Fishrot accused out on bail
The state accuses Hatuikulipi of receiving money from Icelandic fishing company Samherji for what was labeled as consultancy services.
"[Tamson Hatuikulipi] wants to abuse a situation that he created himself. They [Fishrot accused] are not ready to start the trial but they want to be released. They want the court to feel sorry for them."
This was said by state prosecutor Ezekiel Ipinge during Fishrot accused Tamson ‘Fitty’ Hatuikulipi’s bail application on Friday.
One of the new facts on which Hatuikulipi's application is based is that he has already been in custody for five years.
Hatuikulipi's lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji noted that Hatuikulipi is still likely to be detained for a considerable amount of time because there is no indication when the Fishrot trial will start.
"There is still no way forward. There are no trial dates scheduled and there are still several interim applications that need to be dealt with,” said Siyomunji.
Ipinge said the state has been ready to start the trial since 2021 but the accused are delaying the process.
“If they can delay the trial like this while they are in custody, what will happen if they are granted bail? Then this trial will never start," Ipinge said.
However, Siyomunji maintained that his client was in no way delaying the trial.
"My colleague [Ipinge], just like his team, makes sensational statements that are not substantiated. They are trying to mislead this court," Siyomunji said.
Strong case
Although Ipinge argued that the state has a strong case against Hatuikilipi and he will probably be given a harsh prison sentence, Siyomunji does not believe the state has a strong prima facie case.
He claims there is sufficient explanation for the state’s evidence and argued that Hatuikulipi received money from the Icelandic group of companies, Samherji, for consultancy services.
He said there was an agreement for the delivery of services, which Hatuikulipi was merely compensated for.
Judge David Munsu will deliver his judgment on 16 December.
One out of 10 on bail
Only one of the 10 Fishrot defendants, Nigel van Wyk, is currently out on bail.
Van Wyk was granted bail of N$20 000 on 13 December 2023.
Ricardo Gustavo's bail application was initially granted in October 2022 in the High Court in Windhoek, but was later overturned by the High Court.
Gustavo and the rest of the Fishrot defendants are still in custody at Windhoek Central Prison.
They are expected to appear in court again next week for pre-trial proceedings.
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This was said by state prosecutor Ezekiel Ipinge during Fishrot accused Tamson ‘Fitty’ Hatuikulipi’s bail application on Friday.
One of the new facts on which Hatuikulipi's application is based is that he has already been in custody for five years.
Hatuikulipi's lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji noted that Hatuikulipi is still likely to be detained for a considerable amount of time because there is no indication when the Fishrot trial will start.
"There is still no way forward. There are no trial dates scheduled and there are still several interim applications that need to be dealt with,” said Siyomunji.
Ipinge said the state has been ready to start the trial since 2021 but the accused are delaying the process.
“If they can delay the trial like this while they are in custody, what will happen if they are granted bail? Then this trial will never start," Ipinge said.
However, Siyomunji maintained that his client was in no way delaying the trial.
"My colleague [Ipinge], just like his team, makes sensational statements that are not substantiated. They are trying to mislead this court," Siyomunji said.
Strong case
Although Ipinge argued that the state has a strong case against Hatuikilipi and he will probably be given a harsh prison sentence, Siyomunji does not believe the state has a strong prima facie case.
He claims there is sufficient explanation for the state’s evidence and argued that Hatuikulipi received money from the Icelandic group of companies, Samherji, for consultancy services.
He said there was an agreement for the delivery of services, which Hatuikulipi was merely compensated for.
Judge David Munsu will deliver his judgment on 16 December.
One out of 10 on bail
Only one of the 10 Fishrot defendants, Nigel van Wyk, is currently out on bail.
Van Wyk was granted bail of N$20 000 on 13 December 2023.
Ricardo Gustavo's bail application was initially granted in October 2022 in the High Court in Windhoek, but was later overturned by the High Court.
Gustavo and the rest of the Fishrot defendants are still in custody at Windhoek Central Prison.
They are expected to appear in court again next week for pre-trial proceedings.
– [email protected]
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