News / National
Nigerian man denied bail in Harare - marriage of convenience
10 Jan 2012 at 22:14hrs | Views
THE Nigerian man (33) who reportedly entered into a marriage of convenience so as to regularise his stay shall remain in custody after the court ruled that he was "not a proper candidate for bail".
Bonaventure Anayo Okemadu, who was being led by his lawyers, had submitted that he was a suitable candidate for bail but Harare magistrate Anita Tshuma ruled otherwise. The court said that it was improper to grant Bonaventure bail as his resident status in Zimbabwe was "still questionable."
It was further ruled that once granted bail, Bonaventure could interfere with State witnesses hence it was risky to release him. The foreigner will be back in court on January 12 on which date his trial is expected to start and he will be in custody.
Prosecutor Innocent Chingarande who had successfully opposed bail had submitted that the offence Bonaventure was facing, was what was "casting doubt on whether he was freely to walk the streets or not."
"There is a likelihood of absconding; chances of him coming back (to court) are very slim.
"If he is successfully prosecuted, he will be a persona non grata, an illegal immigrant."
And indeed the court took heed of the State's call and the Nigerian was denied partial freedom before the finalisation of his case.
The State alleges that Bonaventure married Tawanda Makate, and the State alleges that "money or property was offered to induce (Tawanda) into marriage."
It is alleged that Bonaventure had married Tawanda and their marriage was booked under certificate 4352/06 but however they did not stay together as couples do. Further State facts are that Bonaventure stayed with a colleague at Montagu Gardens while his 'wife' stayed at Calder Gardens.
Further accusations are that for the past four years, Bonaventure was paying rent for Tawanda as an inducement to facilitate his stay in Zimbabwe which is however deemed illegal.
Bonaventure Anayo Okemadu, who was being led by his lawyers, had submitted that he was a suitable candidate for bail but Harare magistrate Anita Tshuma ruled otherwise. The court said that it was improper to grant Bonaventure bail as his resident status in Zimbabwe was "still questionable."
It was further ruled that once granted bail, Bonaventure could interfere with State witnesses hence it was risky to release him. The foreigner will be back in court on January 12 on which date his trial is expected to start and he will be in custody.
Prosecutor Innocent Chingarande who had successfully opposed bail had submitted that the offence Bonaventure was facing, was what was "casting doubt on whether he was freely to walk the streets or not."
"There is a likelihood of absconding; chances of him coming back (to court) are very slim.
"If he is successfully prosecuted, he will be a persona non grata, an illegal immigrant."
And indeed the court took heed of the State's call and the Nigerian was denied partial freedom before the finalisation of his case.
The State alleges that Bonaventure married Tawanda Makate, and the State alleges that "money or property was offered to induce (Tawanda) into marriage."
It is alleged that Bonaventure had married Tawanda and their marriage was booked under certificate 4352/06 but however they did not stay together as couples do. Further State facts are that Bonaventure stayed with a colleague at Montagu Gardens while his 'wife' stayed at Calder Gardens.
Further accusations are that for the past four years, Bonaventure was paying rent for Tawanda as an inducement to facilitate his stay in Zimbabwe which is however deemed illegal.
Source - Hmetro
