PG appealing Esau’s access to frozen assets

WINDHOEK: Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa has lodged an appeal in the Supreme Court , contesting a High Court ruling that granted former Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister , Bernhardt Esau , access to his frozen assets . The order permits Esau to use funds from his frozen accounts to pay for legal representation . This information was disclosed by his lawyer , Florian Beukes , on Wednesday . Beukes informed the presiding judge , Moses Chinhengo , that his client would be joining former Justice Minister , Sakeus Shanghala in an application seeking to separate him , James Hatuikulipi , and Pius Mwatelulo from the main criminal trial until they can secure legal representation . The men are implicated in a corruption scandal involving the Icelandic fishing company Samherji and are accused , among other charges , of receiving bribes in exchange for fishing quotas . Shanghala is seeking a separation to allow him time to secure a lawyer without prejudicing his co - accused , who are ready to proceed with the t rial . Arrested in November 2019 , the suspects are charged alongside Tamson Hatuikulipi , Mike Nghipunya , Nigel van Wyk , Ricardo Gustavo , Otneel Shuudifonya and Phillipus Mwapopi . Beukes indicated that he has been representing Esau for free over the past three years and is now in a difficult position due to Imalwa ' s appeal in the Supreme Court . He stated that he would continue to represent Esau on a pro bono basis but is uncertain whether he will withdraw as his lawyer in the main criminal trial . ' That brings us to square one . We are unable to say whether or not we will withdraw . However , we will file our notice to oppose the appeal in the Supreme Court today . This will leave us in a state of uncertainty . We do not know , and we cannot predict how long the Supreme Court will take or whether we will succeed in the appeal ,' Beukes said . In July , Judge Beatrix de Jager ordered that N . dollars 3 . 5 million be released from Esau ' s frozen assets to pay for future and outstanding legal fees . T he money was to be paid into the Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys ' account . Judge Chinhengo has scheduled the hearing for 13 September 2024 . Source: The Namibia News Agency