Missing US $50 million court case |09 April 2022
Four accused remanded for another 14 days
Chief Justice Rony Govinden has accepted the request of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles’ counsel, Tony Juliette for further remand of 14 days of the four accused – Mukesh Valabhji, his wife Laura Valabhji, Leslie Benoiton and Sara René ‒in the missing US $50 million case.
In yesterday’s session in the Supreme Court, CJ Govinden also agreed to push the timetable previously agreed on for one week in relation to legal professional privilege.
The Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS) and Mrs Valabhji have not yet agreed on the appointment of independent legal practitioner who will review Mrs Valabhji’s documents to determine which are subject to legal professional privilege. The ACCS has made its proposal, however, due to the proposed person not being a practicing lawyer, Mrs Valabhji objected to the appointment. The ACCS suggested that Mrs Valabhji provides her proposal and she has asked the court that she is provided with the list of practicing lawyers, which was ordered by the court.
The court has agreed to push the timetable previously agreed to, however reiterated that delays need to stop.
Mrs Valabhji raised a few concerns regarding this affair and further stated that the inventory of seized items provided by the ACCS is not detailed enough, that it does not state specific items but generalise it.
The ACCS stated that Mrs Valabhji should file a motion before the court if the list provided is not sufficient.
The court agreed.
The remand and bail status of the defendants remain the same and they will reappear in court on April 29, 2022.
In the case of Fahreen Rajan, the ACCS counsel noted that there will be more charges pressed and also arrest. The court granted her demand to report to the police station only once a week and to be done during working hours.