Adjovi opens can of worms

Ernst Adjovi has accused the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) of deliberately seeking the dismissal of a High Court case involving the so-called Kora millions, due to sensitive information that can implicate government.This revelation is contained in an affidavit filed by Adjovi in his court battle with the NTB.The parastatal is suing Mundial Telecom Sarl, Adjovi and Tonata Shiimi for N$23.5 million (plus 20% interest), which it paid for the purchase of a platinum tourism promotion package that it never received. Mundial Telecom owns the rights to host the Kora awards, while Adjovi acted as the president of the company and Shiimi was the national director of the awards, which never took place in Namibia.In his affidavit lodged on 21 September, Adjovi said his allegations against the government were not unsubstantiated.“The NTB is opportunistically seeking the dismissal of the matter due to sensitive information that might be revealed to the public with regards to decisions and actions taken by the government revolving around the failed Kora awards.”He added this would come to light should the matter proceed to trial.“The government is an integral part of the processes and contracts which are involved in this matter and my instructions are that the present justice minister and other parties will be subpoenaed to testify at the trial.”According to him, the NTB was doing everything in its powers to prevent the matter from going to trial and the truth being told.He further denied any criminal charges against him or that he was party to any corrupt practices. “I deny that any basis or proof exists for my lawful arrest. I have explained that I am evading Namibia due to allegations and threats of being arrested in Namibia by NTB's employees and the government.”Adjovi claimed the NTB during previous court proceedings tried to depict him as a fugitive from justice and had evaded the real facts of the matter, which would be proven during a trial.He argued the matter was being delayed by the NTB themselves, in their attempt to dismiss defences that will be used by him.He said his residence permit was withdrawn in the Ivory Coast, where he had lived for several years, specifically because of representations made by the Namibian government and that his life was thrown into turmoil. The affidavit follows Adjovi filing an application in August that his late plea and counterclaim be allowed. An order was previously made by the court that this would not be condoned due to non-compliance. However, the court, after hearing a status report on the matter, ordered both parties to file answering affidavits before a trial date is set. NTB CEO Digu //Naobeb said it was a serious concern that Adjovi continued to rely on the same unsubstantiated serious allegations against the government. “The deponent of the answering affidavit has provided no shred of evidence whatsoever to support allegations against the government and such allegations are vague and embarrassing and vexatious to the core.”The matter stems from a written agreement that NTB concluded for a tourism promotion package on 4 December 2015 with Mundial Telecom Sarl, in respect of the 2016 All-Africa Kora Music Awards ceremony, which was scheduled to be held on 20 March 2016 in Namibia.The ceremony was initially scheduled to take place on 13 December 2015, but was then postponed. As per the contract that was signed on 4 December 2015, the NTB had to pay N$23.5 million on or before 10 December 2015.However, the first payment of N$5 million was made on 22 December 2015 and the second (N$5 million) was made on 23 December 2015. On 7 January 2016 another N$5 million was transferred and on 17 February 2016, N$8.5 million paid.The money was paid into the bank account of Mundial Telecom in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The last payment was done about a month before the awards were to take place in Namibia, while the promised promotional package guaranteed promotional television clips featuring Namibia would be on all participating African television stations by at least 20 January 2016.In the event that the ceremony did not take place in Namibia, the NTB was to be refunded the amount paid, less reasonable expenses incurred, within 60 days. ELLANIE SMIT

Adjovi opens can of worms

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

Please login to leave a comment

Adjovi opens can of worms

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

Please login to leave a comment

Login