Trial Against Ivann Bibi at Curepipe Court: Defense Requests Postponement Due to 'Reward Money' Investigations

The formal trial against Ivann Bibi for drug-related offenses, presided over by Magistrate Gavindren Coolen at the Curepipe Court, could not proceed on Thursday, December 12. Upon calling the case, the court decided to postpone proceedings to May 7, 2026, in response to a request made by lawyer Mahen Saulick, assisted by Mᵉ Rama Valayden, following the arrest of several police officers in the so-called "Reward Money" case.

In a letter addressed to the Senior District Magistrate on December 5, 2025, Mᵉ Mahen Saulick justified his request by citing the context surrounding various ongoing police investigations. He emphasized that "various officers from the defunct Special Striking Team as well as from other Police Units have been arrested and bailed out in relation to Reward Money allegations." The lawyer also noted that these cases are reportedly linked, according to several suspects, to allegations of "drug planting." Some of these cases have recently been dismissed following the stance taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

According to Mᵉ Saulick, these elements are connected to Ivann Bibi's case. The lawyer stated: "We have been instructed by our client that he will raise the defense of drug planting." The defense believes it cannot proceed without knowing the outcome of the ongoing investigations. The lawyer remarked that "the outcome of the inquiry in the Reward Money cases may have a direct bearing on the present case."

The letter specifies that the completion of these investigations is crucial for the defense to define its strategy and choose its line of defense, in addition to the one related to the allegations of "drug planting." Hence, the lawyers requested a postponement. The court has set the new hearing date for May 7, 2026.

As a reminder, Ivann Bibi is being prosecuted for cannabis possession, based on small quantities seized during a police operation in January 2024. He has pleaded not guilty and has consistently claimed that the drugs were planted in his residence.