'College loan' saga: Accused granted N$100 000 bail each

Six individuals arrested in February for allegedly defrauding a 72-year-old Namibian businessman of nearly N$30 million were each granted bail of N$100 000 by the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Among the accused is Victoria George (34), believed to be the alleged mastermind behind the scheme.Also facing charges are Cecilia Nakale (53), a fisheries ministry official; Abisai Ndeunjema (34); Elizabeth Shikongo (30), a Windhoek-based nurse; Elizabeth Niilonga (54), a warrant officer in the correctional services; and Vitalis Iithete (50).According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly approached the businessman while posing as representatives of Oranje Cultural Fishing (Pty) Ltd, presenting fraudulent documents. Ndeunjema is listed as the director of the company.They are accused of falsely claiming that Oranje Cultural Fishing had been allocated 40 000 metric tonnes of fishing quotas under a government employment redress programme. Based on these claims, they allegedly convinced Ivo Alberto Fernando De Gousa, a representative of Razorbill Investment, to pay them N$30 million in order to access the quotas.Strict conditions However, prosecutors told the court that Oranje Cultural Fishing had only been allocated 502 metric tonnes of horse mackerel quotas for the 2024 fishing season – 301 metric tonnes for frozen fish and 201 metric tonnes for wet fish. As such, the accused allegedly committed fraud by knowingly providing false information in order to access De Gousa’s funds. After receiving the money, the group allegedly redirected the funds towards establishing a nursing school, Lancaster Training Institute. While documents reviewed by Namibian Sun suggest the school was established in 2022, it is not accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA). Prosecutors argue that the institute functioned as a shell company, created to facilitate money laundering.Further investigations revealed that the funds were instead used to purchase vehicles and properties, including a N$1.7 million house, allegedly benefiting several of the accused.They now face charges of fraud, forgery and money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).The group, represented by defence lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, has been placed under strict bail conditions. They are required to report to the police every Thursday and are prohibited from interfering with witnesses. The case has been postponed to 15 September.

'College loan' saga: Accused granted N$100 000 bail each

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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'College loan' saga: Accused granted N$100 000 bail each

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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