The Supreme Court turned down Mike Chimombe's request to get out of jail before his trial. They agreed with the earlier ruling from the High Court. The National Prosecuting Authority announced this decision today. They explained that the court found strong reasons to keep Chimombe locked up because he might run away, face serious charges, or mess with witnesses.
Chimombe faces major fraud accusations related to money from the Presidential Goats Pass-on Scheme. Police arrested him last year along with another suspect named Moses Mpofu. The local court first refused his bail back in July when a judge worried he would skip town or talk to witnesses before trial. After that first denial, he tried taking his case to a higher court.
His appeal process hit a snag when both he and Mpofu received formal charges that moved them toward trial. Chimombe tried again early this year with a fresh bail request to the High Court. That judge stuck with the first court's thinking about how serious his alleged crimes were and the danger he posed to witness testimony.
After twice being rejected, Chimombe took his freedom fight all the way to the Supreme Court. The highest court decided he should stay behind bars until his trial. They backed up everything the lower courts said about why letting him out would create problems for the justice system. His case continues moving forward as he remains in custody, awaiting his day in court.
Chimombe faces major fraud accusations related to money from the Presidential Goats Pass-on Scheme. Police arrested him last year along with another suspect named Moses Mpofu. The local court first refused his bail back in July when a judge worried he would skip town or talk to witnesses before trial. After that first denial, he tried taking his case to a higher court.
His appeal process hit a snag when both he and Mpofu received formal charges that moved them toward trial. Chimombe tried again early this year with a fresh bail request to the High Court. That judge stuck with the first court's thinking about how serious his alleged crimes were and the danger he posed to witness testimony.
After twice being rejected, Chimombe took his freedom fight all the way to the Supreme Court. The highest court decided he should stay behind bars until his trial. They backed up everything the lower courts said about why letting him out would create problems for the justice system. His case continues moving forward as he remains in custody, awaiting his day in court.
