Likhunya-Phiri an IT hand on cashgate granted bail: Plea on Feb 24

A new suspect in the K2.4 billion money laundering case in which former Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo is among the accused, IT expert Steve Likhunya-Phiri has been released on bail by High Court in Lilongwe.

Number of cashgate suspects swelling
Number of cashgate suspects swelling

Phiri was arrested December 2 2015, is accused number seven among 19 suspects after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mary Kachale added him to the case.

Kachale said the 19 people – expected to take plea when the case resumes on February 24 2016 – could not have managed to breach the government financial system and siphon the K2.4 billion over a period of six months without the help of an expert in information technology.

Presiding judge Esme Chombo granted bail to Likhunya-Phiri on condition that he pays a K1.5 million bond, four sureties of K500 000 each and one house, either his or belonging to a relation.

State prosecutor Linesi Chikankheni asked the court that Likhunya-Phiri should disclose the source of the bail bond, which they wanted to be at K1 million.

Likhunya-Phiri’s lawyer, Shadreck Mhango, objected to the condition arguing that it was tantamount to providing the State with self-incriminating information.

In her ruling Judge Chombo quashed the request by the State, saying it was done with ulterior motives to corner the suspect.

“This would be evidence of bad faith on the part of the State,” said Chombo.

Likhunya Phiri is facing similar charges of theft, money laundering and two others similar to Mphwiyo, including civil servants such as former Accountant General David Kandoje, Auzius Kazombo Mwale, Clemence Mmadzi and Roosevelt Ndovi.

The list of suspects also includes contractors.

Others are George Banda, Limumba Karim, Michael Mphatso, Samuel Mzanda and Maxwell Namata who are facing charges of fraud, negligence by public office, money laundering, theft by public servant, theft by servant and conspiracy to defraud government funds amounting to K2 446 817 450.49.

According to DPP Kachale, Likhunya-Phiri was the “ background person” who assisted in breaching and manipulation of the financial systems.

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namagetsi
namagetsi
8 years ago

Mrs Phwiyo is that the only dress you have?

chimimba cha state
chimimba cha state
8 years ago

Ameneyo Steve Phiri anamagitsa anthu osalakwa,amagwilisa maina anthu ena pofufuta mu ifmis,lero lamukwanira tsiku lake,wakhala akufufuta zinthu zambiri ameneyo pomagwilisa ntchito main a anthu ena.System ya ifmis anachita kuika pa laptop amalowela kwina kulikose.Bravo Mary Kachali for arresting this guy,he is very dangerous

Ineyo Kaya
Ineyo Kaya
8 years ago

its time

Wadyera
Wadyera
8 years ago

Zokoma zija zikuwawa tsopano. Ndende ikuyandikira. No matter how long it will take all the Cashgaters will end up in Prison. You can delay justice but it can not be denied!

Zahid Munshi
Zahid Munshi
8 years ago

The government should seriously reconsider the forfeiture act to target these bloody thieves!

Brazilian Wax
Brazilian Wax
8 years ago

Am not comfortable with the DPP arguments. She seems to be not sophisticated enough to corner cashgate crooks. Her arguments are often shallow and not well articulate. I fear the state may loose the cases and cost tax payer moneys.

if only ramsay snow and joffrey baratheon had met...
if only ramsay snow and joffrey baratheon had met...
8 years ago

seriously, these things are above your competence level. chonde pangani outsource ma prosecutor aku england or usa. chancellor college law ends at goat theft, malile a munda and chieftaincy succession. ingovomelani kuti izizi simukwanitsa. you are eating too many night allowances. 16 million malawians desperately want their money back. it’s our fucking taxes that were stolen mwamva. clive stanbrook and mike beveridge prosecuted/defended the mwanza murders trial and it took only took 3 months. tapangani outsource ma prosecutor chonde. mukupangazi ndiye zija amalawi tikulipilabe witness protection ya anthu aku south africa aja a mlandu uja wa a dr. ujeni aja.… Read more »

losco
losco
8 years ago

Koma kumeneko

jason chimwala
jason chimwala
8 years ago

I have my doubts on the competence and integrity of kachale and acb. Please. Prosecute the binngu era looters as well

harooon
harooon
8 years ago

eeeeshhh kma

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