Semi ‘Tongan Sam’ Ngata has gun charge dropped

A firearm charge has been dropped against Ibrahim family bodyguard Semi ‘Tongan Sam’ Ngata. His legal team have welcomed the news but say it’s “unfortunate” he was dragged through the courts for months.

A firearm charge has been dropped against Ibrahim family bodyguard Semi ‘Tongan Sam’ Ngata.

Mr Ngata’s lawyers didn’t deny his DNA was on the pistol but successfully argued in court prosecutors could not rule out that the DNA had been transferred from another source.

His legal team have welcomed the news but say it’s “unfortunate” he was dragged through the courts for months.

Semi Ngata leaves court after having charges dropped Picture: Perry Duffin

Mr Ngata, 61, was charged in July after Strike Force Raptor found a gun while pulling over 26-year-old Yousef Fattouh in South Wentworthville in January.

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The Bayard self-loading pistol was wrapped in a sock inside the glove compartment of the 2003 Nissan Patrol, a court previously heard.

It had a live round in the chamber and three more in the magazine.

Mr Ngata’s DNA was allegedly among four profiles found on the sock.

His DNA was also found on the gun itself and he was charged with possessing an unauthorised pistol.

Strike Force Raptor have arrested Semi 'Tongan Sam' Ngata.

He spent a night in custody, plead not guilty and was released on bail.

But, after months in the courts, prosecutors dropped the charges at Fairfield Local Court on Monday.

The towering former bodyguard, dressed in all black, remained composed as he walked from court.

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When asked if he was happy with the result, he simply said “ask my lawyer”.

Prominent defence lawyer Abbas Soukie told the Telegraph his client was “very pleased” and had been “vindicated”.

“He maintained his innocence since the inception of these proceedings and now wishes to close this chapter and move on,” he said.

Semi 'Tongan Sam' Ngata with John Ibrahim.

Mr Ngata’s lawyer did not deny the bodyguard’s DNA was on the gun but argued prosecutors could not rule out “secondary transference” from another source — like the sock.

“It’s most unfortunate that Mr Ngata spent a night in custody for this,” Mr Soukie said, noting his client had been forced to abide by “onerous bail conditions”.

That included surrendering his passport, reporting to a police station, abstain from drugs and post surety.

The development comes a week after Fattouh pleaded guilty to possessing the gun and ammunition as well as having a knife in a public place.

“That’s what happens when people possess themselves of pistols,” Magistrate Anthony Spence said at the time.

“Unlike some countries, a community like Australia is sensitive to these issues.”

The Casula man is expected to be sentenced on November 13.

Police arrested Semi 'Tongan Sam' Ngata over the gun.

He faces up to 14 years in prison for the pistol charge alone.

Ngata also becomes the second Ibrahim associate to enjoy a victory in court in a week.

A jury found model Sarah Budge, John Ibrahim’s girlfriend, not guilty of possessing a gun on Wednesday. She had been cleared of related firearms charges a day earlier.

Police had alleged Ms Budge had knew about a Glock pistol which they found in a bottom drawer in her bedroom while raiding her Double Bay apartment in August 2017. But the jury disagreed and she was found not guilty.

Ms Budge claimed DNA found on the trigger of the gun likely belonged to Mr Ibrahim — her partner since 2014. — or one of his associates.

Detectives were looking for Mr Ibrahim’s laptop when they searched Ms Budge’s unit

but found the gun in a cardboard T2 box by surprise, the court heard.

Mr Ibrahim was not charged.

Originally published as Semi ‘Tongan Sam’ Ngata has gun charge dropped