Windhoek
Chadian-born Adoum Yakhoub, who stands accused of housebreaking and theft, is still on the loose after he disappeared from the Windhoek Police Station in June.
New Era understands that Yakhoub was brought in for questioning in connection with a new charge of theft under false pretences when he disappeared on June 15. He was not handcuffed and was out on bail at the time, well-placed sources said. He absconded by simply walking out of the building when the police were not looking.
Yakhoub gained notoriety for allegedly conniving with lawyer, Vetu Uanivi, and Sergeant Joao Alfonso to have his case docket disappear. He later made an about-turn and reported the two to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in August last year.
The two now face three charges: corruptly receiving gratification from an agent, using an office or position for gratification, and conspiracy to commit an offence. ACC officers nabbed them in a sting operation in August 2014.
According to court records, ACC agents showed up at Uanivi’s office (Uanivi Law Chambers) in Windhoek West and claimed a client had come to make payment, and that part of the payment allegedly had to go to the investigating officer, supposedly Alfonso.
Uanivi and Alfonso now face corruption charges for allegedly conspiring to have a police criminal docket disappear. The missing docket pertained to the case against Yakhoub, who is suspected of housebreaking, theft and intent to steal.
Yakhoub returned to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on June 15, the day of his disappearance. He had been out on N$50 000 bail on condition that he reported to the police every weekday between 08h00 and 10h00, as well as between 18h00 and 20h00.
After appearing in court to face the new charges of theft under false pretences, Yakhoub was taken to the Windhoek Police Station, but apparently walked out while the officers guarding him were looking the other away. “He also tried to escape while he was at the court,” police sources claimed.
Yakhoub is a key state witness in the ACC’s case against Uanivi and Alfonso and it is not yet clear what will happen to the case, which is scheduled to proceed in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court this week.