Nghipunya to go on trial for fatal accident
Former National Fishing Corporat ion of Namibia (Fishcor) CEO Mike Nghipunya is scheduled to go on trial next year for a 2017 car accident in which a man lost his life.
Ng hi puny a made an appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where he was informed that his trial will begin on 18 August 2021.
The matter was set down for trial on Tuesday, but the court was informed that Nghipunya’s newly appointed lawyer Kadhila Amoomo is yet to acquaint himself with the details of the case.
Ng h ipunya has been represented by Milton Engelbrecht since his arrest earlier this year before parting ways recently.
During court proceedings, prosecutor Ntelamo Mabuku informed the court that the State will be calling five witnesses to take the stand during the trial.
The prosecution is charging
Nghipunya with counts of culpable homicide, reckless or negligent driving and failing to report an accident within 24-hours to law enforcement agencies.
The charges emanate from an incident in which he allegedly disregarded a red traffic light in Windhoek on 16 August 2017, resulting in a collision in which a man lost his life.
In this case, Nghipunya is a free man on warning, which was extended until his next court appearance.
Nghipunya is one of the six men who are facing charges of fraud, contravening the AntiCorruption Act and corruptly using office for gratification, as well as money laundering.
In this case, Nghipunya is charged alongside former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau, former minister of justice Sacky Shanghala, former Investec Asset Management Namibia managing director James Hatuikulipi, Esau’s son-in-law Tamson Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo.
On the charge of corruptly using office for gratification, the prosecution is alleging that Nghipunya, alongside Esau, Shanghala and James, used their offices or positions in a public body to obtain gratification to obtain N$75.6 million that was paid to them or entities of their choice between August 2014 and December 2019.
All accused in this matter are in police custody at Windhoek Correctional Facility.