ACB says more arrest looming, Mpinganjira faces rap in judges bribery attempt

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has  not ruled out more arrests in the alleged bribery attempts on five-judges of the High Court who are yet to make a determination as  Constitutional Court in landmark presidential election case.

ACB director genetral Reyneck Matemba  said  the bureau was still investigating a  complaint from Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda alleging bribes had been offered to the five judges presiding over the case.

“We cannot rule out more arrests. Our investigations  have not stopped,” said Matemba.

Matemba is on record inadvertently hinting that a member of the Judiciary was under investigations in the saga.

He said one of the people involved “is a senior member of one of the arms of government” and “another one is from the private sector.”

ACB chief revealed that “a supreme court judge” was “involved,” a speculation that has already been rife in the public domain.

From the private sector, ACB arrested  business mogul Thom Mpinganjira last week.

Mpinganjira, owner of FDH Bank, is expected to be formally charged under the Corrupt Parctices Act, according to Matemba.

“We are ready to formally charge Mpinganjira,” Matemba said.

Mpinganjira, an accountant, is the former founding chief executive of the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE). He left to open private First Discount House (FDH) which later evolved into a bank and has a nationwide branch network.

He is also a board chairman of state-run power utility Escom.

Many people in Malawi have said he is connected to the governing party, but he has always denied any links.

The Constitutional Court has a deadline of February 3 to issue a ruling on the case, which sparked violent protests since last year.