Africa-Press – Seychelles. Laura Valabhji, who is representing herself in the missing USD $50 million and importation and possession of arms and ammunitions cases, has requested the court for privacy to conduct a joint defence in these cases.
She made the application yesterday afternoon during a court session on the importation and possession of firearms and ammunition and alleged conspiracy to commit terrorism.
She said she and her husband (Mukesh Valabhji) were on February 10, 2022 given a room at the criminal investigating department (CID) at Bois de Rose to conduct their joint defence but their conversations were overheard as a result of the wall being well below the ceiling and the door was left open.
Other than having their conversation overheard, she noted that they were also not granted with a laptop, including averments from the Anti-Corruption Commission Seychelles (ACCS), as had been ordered by the court in the last ruling. She asked the court for a specific and appropriate facility, such as the meeting room at the Montagne Posée prison, for them to meet and discuss their joint defence in privacy, as the allocated CID room does not meet their requirements.
In response, state prosecutor Joshua Revera said according to the police officer in charge at the CID, the room is convenient with its wall touching the ceiling and a door that works. He noted though, that there are small offices close by and their occupants would not have interfered with the defence.
In his ruling, Chief Justice Rony Govinden called on the state prosecutor to see that the Valabhjis are given the appropriate facility to conduct their joint defence in privacy, including with a legal counsel, should they wish to have one.
For his part, lawyer France Bonté, representing Mr Valabhji, requested a court order for an inventory of all items taken by the ACCS and the police from the home of his client in the course of investigation.
He noted that some items, like the expensive wine collection among some other delicate ones, need to be maintained under certain conditions to prevent them from deteriorating.
Mr Bonté also asked the court to allow his client to have weekly meetings with the managers of three businesses ‒ Intelvision, Capital Trading and Félicité Island Development ‒ to assure their proper management. He then asked the court for Mr Valabhji to be provided with a healthy diet either from the hospital or from the family other than the take-aways being provided which are not good for his health condition. He also requested that Mr Valabhji undergoes medical examinations and gets sunlight on a daily basis.
Chief Justice Govinden ordered that both ACCS and the police conduct inventories on all items taken and to bring them to court in the next session. He also clarified to Mr Bonté that irrespective of their position or status, any person charged with an offence and remanded in custody loses certain rights and privileges previously enjoyed and therefore Mr Valabhji cannot meet with his business managers.
In regards to special diets, Justice Govinden stated that the court has to be provided with supporting evidence of the medical conditions of Mr Valabhji.
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