ACB to probe Malawi President top aide’s mind boggling wealth: Ben Phiri resignation neither here nor there

Malawi President Peter Mutharika’s long-time Special Adviser and Assistant, Ben Phiri, is facing investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on allegations of wrongful self-enrichment after reports indicate that he has become an instant billionaire.

Special Aide Ben Phri speaking to President Mutharika; Resignation not official
Special Aide Ben Phri speaking to President Mutharika; Resignation not official

Phiri recently resigned from his position after being accused that he has amassed a spectacular fortune and property portfolio in one year being at State House, while earning a modest civil servant salary.

ACB Senior Public Relations Officer Egrita Ndala said the graft-busting body learnt about the Presidential Special Assistant’s alleged wealth through the media.

“The Bureau will review the available information to see if there is merit to warrant investigations,” said Ndala as quoted by the Daily Times.

The former presidential top aide said he had stepped down from his position to pave the way for people who have been accusing him of corruption to prove their case.

And the ACB is appealing for anyone who may have information regarding Phiri’s corrupt activities, to provide the Bureau with the information for it to take appropriate action.

“The Bureau investigates allegations of corruption based on information provided by informants or the media as long as that source provides enough information related to suspected corruption by public offers or any other individuals in accordance with section 10(1)(b),(c), (d) (e), (g) and (h) of the Corrupt Practices Act,” Ndala said.

Senior Advisor to the President on Strategy and Communication, Bright Malopa, was the first to raise an alarm as he reportedly wrote President Mutharika informing the Head of State that his youthful PA was corrupt.

Malawi is reeling from a mass corruption scandal christened as Cashgate which London based auditors Baker Tilly revealed about K13 billion was lost from 2012.

About K92 billion was lost from 2005.

Meanwhile, State House through director of State Residences Peter Mukhito has clarified that Phiri never resigned, confirming assertions by critics that the resignation was a political stunt simply aimed at testing the waters on how he is rated.

Phiri, a strongman in the Mutharika government, is dubbed “Prime Minister”. His resignation letter indicated that he would resign effective June 1, 2105, apparently he wanted to write June 1 2015.

The Special Advisor to Mutharika said he was not ready to discuss the matter further.

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Ethurama
Ethurama
8 years ago

Thieving Malawians,where Is Mwansambo’s Open Case

Tamandani Sauka Phiri
8 years ago

Koma ya, choipa chitsata mwini ndithu. Zibwenzi zija zitithandize apa

Mr ska
Mr ska
8 years ago

ACB &DPP dont cheat us do watever u can do but time wil come when justice wil previel among u

Yesaya Dziko
Yesaya Dziko
8 years ago

Tilibemau, Timpuza issue does not need the whole ACB to investigate. MBC at fault. How could they continue to pay a ghost worker? Transactions can be investigated by just internal auditor and not ACB.

Moses Makoko
Moses Makoko
8 years ago

Akuti mkazi wa ndani?

Mafuta
Mafuta
8 years ago

Shouldn’t ACB be investigated? It seems it is not impartial

Bulutu 1
Bulutu 1
8 years ago

Atleast every1 knws what politics dpp is playing is all about.

Stop all those stupid nonsense because ACB is for Opposition.musatiputsitse

ndadabwa
8 years ago

Ben Phiri will never be probed because all what he ha is for Peter Mutharika and Getrude Mutharika. ACB is the most corrupt organisation in Malawi

Tilibemau
Tilibemau
8 years ago

you completily failed to investigate Timpunza Mwansambo who was drawing 2 salaries and you want to cheat malawians that you can probe Mkazi wa Peter.ACB is another toothless organisation and cannot arrest DPP Sympathisors mlandu sugona.Time will come.God is watching.

BigMan
BigMan
8 years ago

Barking, barking, barking, and barking some more….. for nothing!

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