The Windhoek High Court will rule on January 30 whether Nigel Van Wyk, an accused in the high-profile Fishrot corruption case, will continue to face certain charges.

Van Wyk, who allegedly received over N$1.9 million from his employer, Olea Investment Number Nine—a company owned by James Hatuikulipi and Sacky Shanghala—has filed a review application challenging the basis of his prosecution.

He argues there is no evidence linking him to the source of the funds, which prosecutors claim originated from Samherji, an Icelandic fishing company at the centre of the scandal. Van Wyk maintains that no witness has implicated him in knowingly receiving proceeds from the alleged criminal enterprise.

He further contends that his prosecution is irrational, pointing out that his name does not appear in the testimony of the state’s star witness, Johannes Stefansson. He insists he was not present when the alleged conspiracy to embezzle millions from Namibia’s fishing industry was devised.

Van Wyk denies knowledge of any fraudulent payments involving Samherji or its subsidiaries, stating that no witness statement links him to the alleged crimes. Facing nine charges, he claims they are baseless and have significantly impacted his life.

Currently out on bail, Van Wyk had previously spent four years in custody. High Court Judge David Munsu noted that the severity of his sentence may not be as harsh as that of his co-accused and that his time already served might exceed any eventual sentence if convicted.

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Emil Xamro Seibeb