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By Alric Lindsay
Emerson Villalobos Lizama appeared in the Summary Court today, June 16, 2026, to face a charge of bigamy. The case, along with a connected charge of making a false representation, has been automatically transmitted to the Grand Court for further proceedings.
According to the charge, Lizama allegedly went through with a marriage ceremony on April 9, 2022, which was said to be void because the ceremony occurred during the life of his first wife.
The prosecution highlighted in court that when the second wife found out that Lizama was still married, she filed for an annulment of the second marriage
Lizama’s attorney responded, suggesting that there were questions about the legalities of the first marriage i.e., whether it went through all the necessary stages to make it legal.
The Chief Magistrate granted bail to Lizamo under strict conditions to ensure his appearance in court and prevent any attempt to flee the jurisdiction. These conditions include:
* His passport has been retained by authorities.
* He is prohibited from coming within 100 yards of any airport, seaport, or sand port.
* He must reside and sleep at the address noted by the court.
* He is required to report to the George Town Police Station every Monday and Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Lizamo is scheduled to appear in the Grand Court on June 26, 2025, where he will face the bigamy charge and making a false statement by making a false representation on May 12, 2022 that was never married.
Note to readers
Bigamy is an offence under section 150 of the Penal Code. This states as follows:
Bigamy
150. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who, having a husband, wife or civil partner living, goes through a ceremony of marriage or civil partnership whether within the Islands or elsewhere, which is void by reason of its taking place during the life of such husband, wife or civil partner commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for five years.
(2) This section does not extend to any person — (a) whose marriage or civil partnership has been declared void by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(b) who contracts a marriage or civil partnership during the life of a former husband, wife or civil partner if such husband, wife or civil partner, at the time of the subsequent marriage or civil partnership — (i) (ii) has been continually absent from such person for the period of time as is specified in the Presumption of Death (Anna Evans) Act, 2020 [Law 23 of 2020]; and has not been heard of by such person as being alive within that time.
