Rhino poaching syndicate accused secures bail
A 30-year-old man accused of being involved in the poaching of a black rhino at a game reserve near Otjiwarongo in March this year, was on Tuesday granted bail of N$10 000.
Eeno Anguwo, who was arrested at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region on 15 April, after he was connected to a syndicate of poachers who allegedly shot and killed a black rhino bull valued at N$800 000, has been in and out of the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court, fighting to secure bail through his privately instructed lawyer, Pieter Greyling.
The State, through prosecutor Jatiel Mudamburi, had objected to the granting of bail, citing the seriousness of the matter and fear of the accused interfering with State witnesses or intimidating them.
There are also fears that he will abscond.
A single State witness, who is also the police investigating officer in the matter, Daniel Wilbard, was called to court to testify during Anguwo's bail application.
Wilbard narrated to the court how Anguwo was involved in the alleged poaching syndicate as well as how he and the four other accused allegedly transported a pair of rhino horns from a game reserve farm outside Otjiwarongo via Oshakati to Outapi in the Omusati Region.
Wilbard said it was in Omusati where the then suspected poachers had allegedly tried to sell the horns to an undercover police officer who arrested them at Epalela.
However, Greyling said Anguwo is innocent until found guilty by a competent court, and therefore keeping him in custody is not in the interest of the general public or the administration of justice.
Greyling said Anguwo has gainful employment at Omuthiya, where he works as an accountant for the government, adding he has the responsibility of looking after his immediate family and it would be unfair to deny him bail.
Magistrate Karel Muyeghu, after listening to arguments between Monday and Tuesday, granted bail on condition that Anguwo surrenders his passport to the investigating officer and reports to the Omuthiya police station on Wednesdays and Fridays.
He is also not allowed to travel outside Omuthiya without notifying the police.
Anguwo and his lawyer agreed and promised to adhere to the bail conditions, and then immediately posted the N$10 000 bail on Tuesday.
His four alleged accomplices - Vemukuta Tjipurua, Kaukamburua Tjingee, Justice Embula, Sakeus Ekango and Issaskar Paulus Kadhila - are remanded in custody at Otjiwarongo and are expected to return to court together with Anguwo on 4 July.
NAMPA
Eeno Anguwo, who was arrested at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region on 15 April, after he was connected to a syndicate of poachers who allegedly shot and killed a black rhino bull valued at N$800 000, has been in and out of the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court, fighting to secure bail through his privately instructed lawyer, Pieter Greyling.
The State, through prosecutor Jatiel Mudamburi, had objected to the granting of bail, citing the seriousness of the matter and fear of the accused interfering with State witnesses or intimidating them.
There are also fears that he will abscond.
A single State witness, who is also the police investigating officer in the matter, Daniel Wilbard, was called to court to testify during Anguwo's bail application.
Wilbard narrated to the court how Anguwo was involved in the alleged poaching syndicate as well as how he and the four other accused allegedly transported a pair of rhino horns from a game reserve farm outside Otjiwarongo via Oshakati to Outapi in the Omusati Region.
Wilbard said it was in Omusati where the then suspected poachers had allegedly tried to sell the horns to an undercover police officer who arrested them at Epalela.
However, Greyling said Anguwo is innocent until found guilty by a competent court, and therefore keeping him in custody is not in the interest of the general public or the administration of justice.
Greyling said Anguwo has gainful employment at Omuthiya, where he works as an accountant for the government, adding he has the responsibility of looking after his immediate family and it would be unfair to deny him bail.
Magistrate Karel Muyeghu, after listening to arguments between Monday and Tuesday, granted bail on condition that Anguwo surrenders his passport to the investigating officer and reports to the Omuthiya police station on Wednesdays and Fridays.
He is also not allowed to travel outside Omuthiya without notifying the police.
Anguwo and his lawyer agreed and promised to adhere to the bail conditions, and then immediately posted the N$10 000 bail on Tuesday.
His four alleged accomplices - Vemukuta Tjipurua, Kaukamburua Tjingee, Justice Embula, Sakeus Ekango and Issaskar Paulus Kadhila - are remanded in custody at Otjiwarongo and are expected to return to court together with Anguwo on 4 July.
NAMPA
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