Former Commissioner Vaki wins bail

The National Court has allowed bail for former police commissioner Geoffrey Vaki after he spent Tuesday night at the Boroko Police Station holding cell.

Vaki appeared in court with his lawyer Sam Bonner before Justice Ellenas Batari after lunch today with a bail application.

The State did not oppose the bail application as Vaki’s arrest yesterday morning was the result of a bench warrant that was issued in September by Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika.

Sir Gibbs issued the warrant after Vaki and his lawyer failed to turn up for the callover during the months  of August and September.

Vaki was served a copy of his indictment in July this year however he failed to attend his “mention’’ dates after the Public Prosecutor served his indictment.

It is understood he failed to attend as he was in the process of changing legal representation and the lawyer who was supposed to attend failed to communicate between him and his client.

Justice Batari said it was in Vaki’s best interest to enquire when he is supposed to make his first appearance in court.

Vaki was allowed bail of K3, 000 while his guarantors will pledge K1, 000 each.

 He will return to court tomorrow morning where his guarantors will be finalised.

His lawyer Sam Bonner and younger brother Philip Vaki are his guarantors however Justice Batari questioned Bonner being a guarantor when he is also representing him in court should Vaki breach his bail condition.

He has been ordered to report to the National Court twice every month, must attend all callover listed days and other scheduled court hearing days and must remain at his home and in the National Capital District at all times.

He will be expected back in court next month for the next callover.

Vaki is also out on a K5, 000 Supreme Court bail after he was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison in July for contempt of court.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton