A 40-year-old Nigerian national, Arinze Collins Ngene, has been denied bail by the Evander Magistrate’s Court following his arrest on allegations of drug possession.
Ngene appeared before the court on Thursday, August 20, 2026, for a formal bail hearing after he was arrested in Kinross on August 13.
According to the allegations presented before the court, police officers found Ngene in possession of drugs at the time of his arrest.
The State opposed his application for bail, raising several concerns about his circumstances and the possibility of him committing further offences if released.
One of the issues raised by the prosecution was Ngene’s employment situation. The State argued that he did not have stable employment, which it said increased concerns about his suitability for release.
The court was also informed that Ngene was already out on bail in connection with another case in which he was allegedly found in possession of drugs.
The prosecution further raised concerns about Ngene’s immigration status. The court heard that his passport had expired, with the State arguing that this could create difficulties in ensuring that he remains available for future court proceedings.
The prosecution also suggested that Ngene could potentially relocate to another area within South Africa if released, making it more difficult for authorities to ensure his attendance in court.
Ngene’s legal representative, however, opposed the State’s arguments and asked the court to grant him bail.
The defence maintained that Ngene had established ties to the community and was therefore not a flight risk. His lawyer told the court that the accused had been living at the same address in Kinross for approximately two years.
The defence also presented information about Ngene’s family responsibilities, arguing that he has two minor children whom he supports financially.
According to his legal representative, Ngene earns an income through various forms of informal work, including gardening and car washing, which he uses to provide for the children.
The defence argued that these circumstances demonstrated that Ngene had meaningful connections to the community and should therefore be released while the case continues.
However, the court found that the defence had not provided sufficient evidence to substantiate some of the claims made in support of the bail application.
In particular, the court noted that no documentary evidence had been presented to confirm the existence of the alleged minor children or to demonstrate that Ngene was financially responsible for their upkeep.
As a result, the court considered those claims unsubstantiated when assessing whether Ngene had provided sufficient grounds for his release.
The court ultimately concluded that Ngene had failed to place enough evidence before it to establish that he was a suitable candidate for bail.
His application was therefore denied, and he was remanded in custody.
The case remains under investigation, with Ngene expected to return to the Evander Magistrate’s Court on September 17, 2026, for further proceedings.
The allegations against Ngene have not been proven in court, and he remains entitled to the presumption of innocence until the matter is finalised.
Source: Thepressradio.com
