The Supreme Court has granted bail to Leslie Benoiton, the third accused in the firearms and prevention of terrorism case. The decision was delivered on 19 October by Chief Justice Rony Govinden. Benoiton had been on remand for nearly four years.
The court ruled that his continued detention was no longer justified, noting that the prosecution had completed its case. The closure of the prosecution’s side removed the earlier concern of witness interference, which had been a key reason for remand.The ruling stated that both constitutional principles under Article 18 and case law from the European Court of Human Rights establish that bail should be the norm and remand the exception. The court said continued detention requires compelling and specific reasons.
Chief Justice Govinden found that Benoiton had not contributed to delays in the proceedings, which were mainly caused by co-accused and the complexity of the case. The court also noted his stable ties to Seychelles and compliance with court requirements, which reduced concerns about flight risk. Bail conditions include surrendering his passport, a ban on travel without court approval, weekly reporting to the police, and maintaining an active mobile phone number.
The case stems from the seizure of more than 100 firearms and over 35,000 rounds of ammunition from the Morne Blanc home of businessman Mukesh Valabhji and his wife, Laura Valabhji, on 18 November 2021. The couple had been arrested in connection with a money-laundering investigation involving a missing US$50 million granted to the Seychelles government by the United Arab Emirates in 2002.
Benoiton is charged with conspiracy to possess terrorist property, conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, possession of terrorist property, possession of firearms and ammunition, and abuse of office. Former presidential bodyguard Frank Marie is also an accused in the case.
The matter, which was adjourned in September 2025, is scheduled to resume on 13 January 2026 before Chief Justice Govinden.