Former government lawyer Sherif Seid allowed to go to Ethiopia despite rape charges

Despite facing rape charges in Canberra, a former government lawyer will be able to return to his home in a country without an extradition treaty.

Former federal government lawyer Sherif Seid leaves the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Blake Foden

A former federal government lawyer will be allowed to return home to Africa despite facing rape charges in Canberra.

Sherif Hussein Seid, 63, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday, when his bail conditions were varied to allow him to travel to Ethiopia once his daughter has deposited a $50,000 cash surety.

Seid is charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and one of common assault following an alleged incident with a woman in Canberra in 2019.

Defence barrister Keegan Lee told the court Seid intended to defend the charges and “clear his name”.

Mr Lee said Seid had worked in the Australian Public Service for 26 years, with stints in the immigration and education departments, as well as with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Sherif Seid outside court. Picture: Blake Foden

The court heard the 63-year-old had retired in February 2022, having most recently worked as a government lawyer for the Clean Energy Regulator.

Mr Lee said his client had “almost immediately” moved to Ethiopia, the country of his birth, upon his retirement, unaware the alleged victim had made a police report 12 days before his departure.

Sherif Seid, who intends to defend his charges. Picture: Blake Foden

The barrister said Seid had subsequently become aware of the allegations while in Ethiopia, and had still travelled back to Australia earlier this year with the knowledge he might be arrested.

That is indeed what happened in April, when Seid was charged and granted bail with a condition that banned him from leaving Australia.

Mr Lee urged magistrate Jane Campbell to lift that condition on Tuesday, telling the court Seid had four reasons he needed to return to Ethiopia while on bail.

These included caring for his 87-year-old mother and sorting out a notice to vacate his home following the recent expiration of a lease agreement.

The ACT courts building, where Sherif Seid appeared on Tuesday. Picture: Blake Foden

Mr Lee told the court Seid had already demonstrated a willingness to deal with the rape allegations, having engaged Canberra solicitor Michael Kukulies-Smith while still in Ethiopia last year.

He added that the former government lawyer also had ties to Canberra in the form of his two children, who usually lived in Australia despite currently being on a “gap year” in the UK.

Mr Lee called evidence from one of Seid’s adult children, accountant Hayat Hussein, who indicated she was willing to forfeit $50,000 if her father failed to appear in court as required.

Prosecutor Tahni Whybrow opposed the bail variation, expressing fears Seid would not come back to Australia to face his charges if he was allowed to leave.

Ms Whybrow told the court the alleged victim shared her concerns.

She also noted Australia did not have an extradition treaty with Ethiopia.

Ms Campbell ultimately granted the bail variation, saying she was satisfied Seid had reasons other than the criminal proceedings to come back to Canberra.

The magistrate also agreed with Mr Lee’s assessment of the prosecution case as one that was not overwhelmingly strong, describing it as “word on word”.

Seid’s case is due back in court next month.