High Court rejects appeal on Lamha’s release

High Court has rejected the state’s appeal regarding the release of Haleemath Lamha Abdul Rahman, one of the prime suspects in the murder of Filipino nurse Mary Grace One Pineda who worked at IGMH.

High Court’s registry shows that the appeal was lodged last Thursday.

The Court’s registrar rejected the appeal citing the prosecution failed to explain a circumstance that requires the apex court’s intervention with respect to the lower court’s decision.

Lamha, who had been remanded in custody pending the outcome of her trial, was granted three months conditional bail on last Tuesday by the Criminal Court. 

The conditions of her release include:

• Refrain from further criminal offenses during bail duration
• Timely attendance to court if and when summoned 
• Approval from the court for any trips out of Male’ City
• Refrain from communicating or meeting with all potential witnesses
• Seek police approval to go outside of her place of residence
• Refrain from traveling abroad during the bail period

Lamha was released on bail despite arguments from the state, citing her to be a possible threat to the society.

Mary was killed in her apartment on the first floor of Ma. Udhuheykokaage in Male’ City in the afternoon of October 19, 2021.

Her husband, Marvin S. Y. Vargas is charged with murder with intent, while Lamha – his mistress - is charged as an accomplice to murder and for unauthorized possession of controlled medical substances.

All three had worked as nurses at IGMH. 

Marvin had taken Mary’s body to IGMH in an ambulance mere minutes after she had gone home for her break from work. He initially claimed her death as a suicide by hanging, and later changed his story and said she had suddenly collapsed.

Police found the death suspicious and opened an investigation.

Marvin was arrested on October 27, 2021. And Lamha was arrested on December 16, 2021.

An autopsy on Mary showed she died from injuries to her neck and head. Examiners also found traces succinylcholine - a medication used to cause short-term paralysis as part of general anesthesia - in her blood.

Investigators found a used succinylcholine injection, along with two other restricted injections from Lamha’s apartment.

Marvin faces a life sentence if found guilty, while Lamha faces at least six years in prison.