Namibia Fishing Corporation (Fishcor) suspended chief executive officer Mike Nghipunya’s bail application has been postponed to 16 June 2020.
Nghipunya was arrested months ago after he was implicated in what can pass as one of Namibia’s biggest scandals yet – the Fishrot that involves millions allegedly paid in bribes.
He joined the original Fishrot six, former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala, former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau, businessman James Hatuikulipi, Esau’s son-in-law and Hatuikulipi’s cousin, Tamson ‘Fitty’ Hatuikulipi, businessman Richardo Gustavo and Pius Mwatelulo.
Nghipunya’s formal bail application started last week Thursday 4 June 2020 in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, before Magistrate Ingrid Unenga.
During his bail application, Nghipunya (35) offered to pay N$150 000 for his freedom, while the Fishrot case continues.
Although he did not testify personally, the Fishrot accused had his affidavit read on his behalf for the record, by his lawyer, Advocate Thabang Patelo.
Magistrate Unenge today postponed the bail hearing to 16 June, after the State and the defence council finalised their cross-examination of Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer Willem Olivier and a senior correctional services official.
Nghipunya was suspended as the Fishcor CEO, a position he served in since 2014, last year as the Fishrot corruption saga, involving over N$150 million bribery payments, came to light.
The corruption accused Nghipunya was initially taken in by the ACC for questioning in February and subsequently arrested a few days later.
The parastatal he was heading, Fishcor is at the epicentre of the Fishrot investigations, where the Anti-Corruption Commission is investing a number several transactions by Fishcor that are said to be linked to the Fishrot scandal.