Not guilty, pleads ex-Malawi army general Odillo on Cashgate charges

Former army commander General Henry Odillo and three others on Thursday  appeared before the High Court of Malawi in Lilongwe where they took plea in a case related to dubious purchase of assorted military equipment but were never delivered in cashgate style scam.

Odillo leaves court
Odillo leaves court

Odillo and the other two; Leuitenant general Clement Kafuwa and businessman Ganiza Kamchomo pleaded not guilty to the case.

The other accused, a former accountant Alexander Kauwa Banda at the Malawi army was not available in court as he applied that he be tried in South Africa where he is based.

The plea of Odillo and the other two was delayed however after it was discovered that one of defense lawyers Ralph Mhone MP did not have a legal licence to practise.

However, Judge Redson Kapindu ruled that Mhone was free to give instructions to lincensed lawyers in his legal team although himself could not directly defend the clients.

Odillo was arrested and fired from his position after former president Joyce Banda and her Peoples Party administration were kicked out of government at the ballot box in 2014 when the Democratic Progressive Party was returned to power after two years of being outside the government following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

General Odillo, who gets all Malawi army commander salary and perks, now works for another government agency ADL.

Banda gave Odillo an award for protecting democracy after the DPP led by Peter Mutharika told the soldiers to take over the government following the sudden death of Bingu in a bid to thwart Banda from ascending to presidency as the Republican Constitution demands.

This is contained in a commission of inquiry report and Peter Mutharika, Goodall Gondwe, Henry Mussa, Bright Msaka, Patricia Kaliati and Kondwani Nankhumwa were arrested on treason charges for plotting to have soldiers take over the government but the case was struck off the case after Mutharika and his DPP returned into government forcing Banda into self exile.

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Nolwazi
Nolwazi
7 years ago

Iwe helehe I know you mbava iwe kapena akutuma.this country can’t progress with so many bootlickers like you

Lwazi
Lwazi
7 years ago

We need to reform our laws first but unfortunately the very same people who are supposed to help us in reforming our constitution are busy stealing and they cannot try to cut this malpractice because they know it will hunt them.. so they are just watching as long as they are doing better and get riches while poor Malawian people life continues to worsen. i feel sorry for our country

HE the Life President Mfuti Kasinja?
HE the Life President Mfuti Kasinja?
7 years ago

Let us follow govt accounting system. There is internal requisition, then IPC and then vouchers are signed and countersigned(by Odillo), then cheque is released on delivery by one of logistics/store/procurement. I think the one who is accountable here is not Odillo and Kafuwa, but one of stores for non delivery.

Helehe
Helehe
7 years ago

Iwe Mjiba. Boma si lopusa. Avoid shallow comments and refrain from exposing your ignorance on this forum

Point
Point
7 years ago
Reply to  Helehe

Which shallow comments are you talking about? Umadya nawo eti…kagwere uko

mjiba
mjiba
7 years ago

How come someone answering a case involving financial mismanagement is still working and receiving perks as Army General? What happened to effective management in the civil service when it comes to discipline? Tiziwopa kukhaulisa mbava chifukwa chokuti mbava ili pa contract? ha ha musandisekese

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