Magistrate withdraws for ethical reasons

Windhoek magistrate, Ndapewa Celma Amadhila, has withdrawn as the presiding officer in the bail application of two men who allegedly attempted to defraud the finance ministry out of N$1.2 million.Amadhila withdrew from the bail application of Jason Pickard (32) and Joseph Iindongo (33) yesterday, on the grounds that she is a friend of Iindongo's sister.The accused were arrested towards the end of May on allegations of fraud, forgery, uttering of forged instruments and theft.“The state is opposing bail on the grounds that fraud, forgery, uttering of forged instruments and theft are offences of a very serious nature,” prosecutor Bernadine Bertolini argued, adding the amount involved is N$1 230 993.78.The prosecution alleges the two men on 16 April, at the finance ministry in Windhoek, pretended to ministry employee Brumhilde !Gaes that account number 60003016918, held at Standard Bank, belonged to the European Commission.In the process, they induced her to process a payment in the amount of N$1 230 993.78. The account allegedly belongs to Allu J Cash Loans.They allegedly forged the banking details and documents of the European Commission and offered the forged documents to !Gaes. They are also facing a charge of theft in connection with the incident.Defence lawyer Trevor Brockerhoff, who is appearing for Pickard, while noting the state's objection to bail, told the court the amount is only a potential loss and that the actual loss is only N$30 000.Kadhila Amoomo is appearing on behalf of Iindongo. FRED GOEIEMAN

Magistrate withdraws for ethical reasons

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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Magistrate withdraws for ethical reasons

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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