The ghost of the botched Kora All Africa Music Awards continued to haunt President Hage Geingob this week as the court closed the cross and re-examination of the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) boss Digu Naubeb.
In the case, government is hunting down for some N$23.5 million that got lost due to the event flopping.
Whereas Naubeb has told court that various corporates in Namibia were supposed to contribute funds for the hosting of the prestigious event, a document has surfaced in which the main character in the unfolding drama, Ernst Adjovi, admitted that President Geingob expressed his dismay at the reluctance of some of these corporates to cough up money.
A letter by Adjovi seen by Eagle FM has laid bare claims that Geingob promised to secure some N$86 million using his friendship connections.
Adjovi has refused to state the names of these friends.
His explosive documents have also put it on record that it was his direct friendship with the President that saw the agreement to host the awards being inked in the first place.
However, the President has denied these accusations at every turn, making use of his lawyer, Sisa Namandje.
“Our client therefore categorically denies that because of his then relationship with Mr. Adjovi he somehow influenced the decision making by NTB in making payment to Mr. Adjovi. Any insinuation that our client may have used his power or influence in this respect is absurd as on the facts the decision to enter into the concerned contract was made by NTB in consultation with the relevant ministry,” said Namandje.
Geingob, through Namandje has also expressed an unwillingness to comment on the matter as he did not want to influence the court’s decision.
Adjovi has in the meantime failed to show up for his day in court during this week.
His request for a teleconference court session was shot down.
The matter has been in the meantime postponed to the 31st of May to decide on the date when lawyers can make submissions.
