Judge orders ACB to trim charges against Muluzi
A High Court Judge ruled that Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) should amend its charges pressed on former president Bakili Muluzi and trim from the current 80 to a maximum of 12.
The counts are based on $11 million money in his private account which the state alleges he siphoned from donors.
His lawyers made interim challenge that the counts were not clear and there was duplication and too many.
High Court Judge, Justice Mclean Kamwambe on Tuesday ruled that ACB should reduce the counts Muluzi is facing.
“The whole purpose of limiting counts is to avoid prejudice, embarrassment and it is?for better management of the case,” Judge Maclean Kamwambe said in his ruling in Blantyre.
The judge gave the ACB 10 days to serve the amended sheet on Muluzi.
Muluzi’s lawyers have since disclosed that they are happy with the ruling arguing that the onus was now in the state to provide all facts supporting their allegations.
The 66-year-old denies any wrong doing.
Muluzi return in Malawi on Saturday from United Kingdom where he underwent an operation on his spine.
His lawyers have also filed an application to the High Court to dismiss the case on grounds that the state is abusing court process.
In the application lodged with the court, Muluzi lawyers argue that the state has been commenting on the case and giving Muluzi public and media trial and even presuming him guilty until proven innocent.
They have also submitted objective evidence that the matter is politically inspired with the audio voice of President Bingu wa Mutharika instructing the then Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director to shake up Muluzi and letters Mutharika sent Muluzi threatening arrest.
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