Medical emergency delays bail application in N$30m fraud case
Pregnant fraud accused rushed to hospital
The magistrate's court is considering a request for the bail application to proceed by way of affidavit due to the health condition of one of the accused.
The formal bail application for the six individuals accused of defrauding a businessman of N$30 million was delayed after the main accused suffered a medical emergency while at the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Victoria George (34), who is currently pregnant, was taken to hospital by ambulance directly from court before the bail application process was set to start.
George, along with Abisai Ndeunyema (34), Cecilia Nakale (52), Elizabeth Shikongo (30), Elizabeth Niilonga (54) and Iithele Vitalis (50), is charged with fraud, forgery, uttering a forged instrument and money laundering – disguising the unlawful origin of property – under the Prevention of Crimes Act (POCA) for the N$30 million alleged fraud scheme.
Ndeunyema, Nakale and Shikongo made their first appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court, while the two other accused, Niilonga and Iithete, were arrested in Ondangwa and Lüderitz, respectively.
Setting dates
Appearing before magistrate Donnevan Schuster on Tuesday, defence lawyer for five of the accused, Kadhila Amoomo, requested that the bail application proceed by way of affidavit due to George’s medical emergency.
During the proceedings, it was decided that the applicants file their founding affidavits on 12 March and for the State to file opposing affidavits on 18 March.
The application to file replying affidavits is scheduled for 20 March, after which submissions will be made on 24 March.
If the application proceeds via oral evidence, the formal bail hearing dates are provisionally set for 7 to 10 April.
Amoomo told the court this week that Nakale and Vitalis also require medical care, as they suffer from high blood pressure and epilepsy, respectively.
Witnesses
During proceedings, Amoomo also noted that while his clients are in custody, family members are handling their financial and personal affairs.
"To prevent them from interfering with possible witnesses in this case, we request that the State provide us with a list of the potential witnesses," he noted.
State prosecutor Maggy Shiyagaya explained that it is still premature to have a final list of witnesses ready, as investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
The matter was then postponed to 14 April, pending further investigations.
Initial reports indicate that the accused allegedly forged documents to secure a N$29.9 million loan for establishing a nursing institute. However, it has come to light that the accused forged documents promising a businessman a fishing quota for the amount. The accused allegedly used the money for their own personal gain.
Victoria George (34), who is currently pregnant, was taken to hospital by ambulance directly from court before the bail application process was set to start.
George, along with Abisai Ndeunyema (34), Cecilia Nakale (52), Elizabeth Shikongo (30), Elizabeth Niilonga (54) and Iithele Vitalis (50), is charged with fraud, forgery, uttering a forged instrument and money laundering – disguising the unlawful origin of property – under the Prevention of Crimes Act (POCA) for the N$30 million alleged fraud scheme.
Ndeunyema, Nakale and Shikongo made their first appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court, while the two other accused, Niilonga and Iithete, were arrested in Ondangwa and Lüderitz, respectively.
Setting dates
Appearing before magistrate Donnevan Schuster on Tuesday, defence lawyer for five of the accused, Kadhila Amoomo, requested that the bail application proceed by way of affidavit due to George’s medical emergency.
During the proceedings, it was decided that the applicants file their founding affidavits on 12 March and for the State to file opposing affidavits on 18 March.
The application to file replying affidavits is scheduled for 20 March, after which submissions will be made on 24 March.
If the application proceeds via oral evidence, the formal bail hearing dates are provisionally set for 7 to 10 April.
Amoomo told the court this week that Nakale and Vitalis also require medical care, as they suffer from high blood pressure and epilepsy, respectively.
Witnesses
During proceedings, Amoomo also noted that while his clients are in custody, family members are handling their financial and personal affairs.
"To prevent them from interfering with possible witnesses in this case, we request that the State provide us with a list of the potential witnesses," he noted.
State prosecutor Maggy Shiyagaya explained that it is still premature to have a final list of witnesses ready, as investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
The matter was then postponed to 14 April, pending further investigations.
Initial reports indicate that the accused allegedly forged documents to secure a N$29.9 million loan for establishing a nursing institute. However, it has come to light that the accused forged documents promising a businessman a fishing quota for the amount. The accused allegedly used the money for their own personal gain.
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