Court Examines Arrest of Suspended NAMDIA Staff Member
By TUW
A suspended Namibia Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA) employee, Charles Roman, appeared in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court after being arrested in the early hours of Wednesday in connection with investigations linked to the deadly NAMDIA incident of 18 January.
The January incident, which shocked the nation, left two people dead and has so far resulted in the arrest of more than four individuals as authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the case.
Roman is facing charges of defeating the ends of justice as well as an alleged violation of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. During his court appearance, his legal representative, Theo Carolus, challenged the manner in which his client was arrested.
Carolus urged the court to order Roman’s immediate release, arguing that both the arrest warrant and the warrant authorising search and seizure were legally flawed. He submitted that the warrants were vague, failed to properly identify the accused, and did not clearly outline the charges, rendering them invalid.
The State opposed the application, maintaining that the warrants were lawfully issued and correctly executed. Prosecutors further argued that there were no legal grounds to justify Roman’s release at this stage of the proceedings.
Magistrate Mulonda Masuku postponed the matter to tomorrow, when the court is expected to rule on the validity of the warrants and the defence’s application.
