Lawyers representing some of the eight individuals charged in connection with alleged corruption involving the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) have accused the state of fabricating charges against their clients.
This comes after public prosecutor Menencia Hinda during a court appearance by the eight accused proposed that a formal bail application take place on 16 July.
Magistrate Olga Muharukua on Thursday postponed the matter to 14 July for a bail hearing. The accused are being held in custody in the meantime.
Hinda argued that due to the severity of the case, involved an alleged loss to Namcor of N$480 million, the accused cannot be granted bail.
Lawyer Sisa Namandje argued that the charges against his client Peter Elindi under the Anti-Corruption Act are unconstitutional.
“The main allegation is read with other charges under the same section. This method of charging a defendant does not apply in Namibia,” he said.
Namandje made the remarks during the first court appearance of the eight accused in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Namandje is also representing Malakia Elindi and Lydia Elindi.
However, Hinda argued that five more suspects still to be arrested have links to those in court and there is a risk the accused will interfere with the case.
“Due to the seriousness of the charges and the sensitivity of a N$480-million loss of Namcor, investigations need to be carried out,” she said.
Hinda also said there is a risk that the accused might flee.
Namandje called on the state to accurately identify the charges.
He called for an urgent bail application by his client.
Lawyer Francois Bangamwabo, who is representing former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga and married couple Jennifer and Panduleni Hamukwaya, called for the release of Jennifer due to her three children, of which the youngest is five years old.
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