Court grants Malawi ex-pres. Muluzi leave for AU 50th anniversary in Addis Ababa
The High Court in Blantyre on Thursday granted former president Bakili Muluzi permission to leave for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to take part in activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity, now the Africa Union.
Muluzi, who is currently answering $11 million (about K1.7bn) graft charges, is expected to leave the country on Friday, has been invited to attend the 21st Ordinary Session as retired Head of State, and Judge Maclean Kamwambe permitted him to do so following application by his lawyers on Wednesday.
The case has been adjourned to Wednesday May 29th, 2013, when the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) will continue to parade its witnesses.
ACB revealed it has more than 30 witnesses to testify against the former president and his accomplice, former personal assistant Lyness Whisky. Whisky is being accused of aiding and abetting Muluzi. They both denied the charges.
Muluzi stepped down in 2004 after serving as president for 10 years. He retired from active politics in 2009 due to ill-health. He was initially charged with 86 counts of corruption and abuse of office. They were trimmed to three.
The State through the Anti-Corruption Bureau has dragged Muluzi to court on charges of possession of unexplained property, diverting K1.7 billion (about $4.2m) government funds into his personal account and purchasing of vehicles worth K200 million (about $500 000) while he was in power.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
