Probe on Mutharika billions still underway – Report

Investigations into suspected fraud transactions by former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika through a bank account he opened in Jersey, Europe is still underway as the  Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)  says they waiting for key information from authorities in Jersey.

In published report on Sunday, 17 January 2016,  the bureau said  may proceed with the investigations limited to Bingu’s children and spare President Peter Mutharika, allegedly being linked to the fraud probe, because he enjoys presidential immunity from any investigation and prosecution.

Bingu’s children, son Madalitso, daughters Duwa and Tapiwa were fingured in the investigations.

“The bureau is still waiting for the information so that it can proceed as appropriate. The bureau was looking for information on the bank [account] and property,” Nation on Sunday newspaper quoted  bureau’s spokesperson Egrita Ndala.

The ACB, through Interpol, had asked Her Majesty of Jersey to help it investigate the suspected fraud relating to bank account number 58099848, Optimum account, held in the name of Bingu wa Mutharika and Duwa Kafoteka.

Bingu had been under probe after his death and his wealth was also a subject of discussion in parliament.

Opposition MPs wanted answers on  K61 billion wealth said to have been accumulated by late Mutharika with government claiming that the money was stolen from the public pulse.

The accusations has since led to Mutharika’s former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defending him saying the late President was capable of accumulating such wealth after working in international organisations including the UN for closer to 25 years.