WALVIS BAY – The Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) has taken steps to recover more than N$1 million, allegedly misappropriated through a law firm owned by their late executive director Eckhardt Mueller’s son. 

The board is expected to file a civil claim against Mueller’s estate to recover the funds. 

“The trustees have resolved to institute a civil claim against the implicated individual(s), and instructions have already been given to our legal representatives to proceed with same. Our legal practitioners are busy executing instructions and will report to us, as and when progress is made,” NIMT spokesperson Brumilda Britz told New Era yesterday. No further details about the matter can be shared at this stage.

This development follows a recommendation from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to retrieve funds reportedly diverted from the institution. 

ACC director general Paulus Noa said in a letter to Britz last week donor funds meant to assist students and improve campus infrastructure had been allegedly misappropriated under Mueller’s leadership.

In 2019,  a 27-page document detailing misappropriations totalling more than N$3 million was presented to the ACC. Among these, a N$2 million donation from Swiss-based BTrading GmbH, designated for scholarships, was reportedly never received by NIMT. 

Another N$1.2 million donation from De Beers in 2007 also allegedly failed to reach the institute’s accounts.

“These funds were specifically intended to support NIMT’s educational mission, including plans for a new campus in northern Namibia. It’s essential that the institution retrieves these assets and ensures they are used for their intended purposes,” Noa’s letter stated at the time. 

The ACC said, the law firm Mueller Legal Practitioners, owned by Mueller’s son, Richard Mueller, handled some of NIMT’s legal matters without a competitive tendering process. 

The firm reportedly received more than N$1 million, including interest, while Eckhardt Mueller served as the sole signatory to the NIMT account. The firm was declared insolvent in 2019.

“In line with the ACC’s mandate to recover misappropriated funds, the board should consider a civil claim against Mueller’s estate and his son’s legal firm to recoup the outlined amount,” Noa advised.

Richard Mueller’s firm has faced separate allegations of misappropriating clients’ funds.

In 2017, Namibia Wildlife Resorts deposited more than N$1.5 million into the firm’s trust account, which was allegedly never returned. Due to the missing funds, the Windhoek High Court suspended Richard Mueller’s practice, and the Law Society of Namibia sought to liquidate the firm.

Noa last week addressed concerns regarding the lengthy investigation, stating that initial reports to the ACC involved general allegations of administrative and governance issues. 

“We then took these up with the NIMT board since the ACC could not find specific allegations pointing to criminal corruption,” he said.

He added: “Our focus was on criminal conduct, not administrative disagreements… In conducting criminal investigations, the ACC follows all pertinent steps and procedures to ensure the investigation is not compromised.” 

“The letter I wrote is for the consideration of the board to make an appropriate decision to recover the costs the institution suffered due to financial mismanagement,” he added.

Meanwhile, the corruption docket has been submitted to the prosecutor-general for further action. -edeklerk@nepc.com.na