Chakwera, Chilima lawyers get paid from Malawi govt, Treasury confirms
Two legal teams that represented President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima in the May 21 2019 presidential election nullification petition have been paid the legal fees by government after the courts ordered they be paid costs in billions; Treasury has confirmed.
Chakwera had eight lawyers while Chilima had four, and the 12 initially claimed about K9 billion in legal fees.
But the court after assessing the costs claimed by the legal teams for the two petitioners, who successfully moved a five-judge panel of the High Court sitting as the Constitutional Court to overturn the outcome of the presidential election and order a fresh election within 150 days from February 3 2020 , came with a figure of around K5 billion.
The court ordered that Chilima’s legal team be paid K2.3 billion costs for the Constitutional Court case and K877.7 million for the appeal.
On the other hand, Chakwera’s lawyers were awarded K3.08 billion for the Constitutional Court proceedings and K726.4 million for the appeal filed by former president Peter Mutharika and Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Treasury spokesperson Williams Bands confirmed that government has “ finally paid what was determined and claimed at the High Court and the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal.”
Senior Counsel Modecai Msisha was Chakwera’s lead lawyer in the presidential election dispute. After Chakwera got elected as Malawi leader, Msisha declined his appointment as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The legal team for Chakwera also current Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Titus Mvalo, Pempho Likongwe, Innocencia Nkhoma, Chrispin Ndalama, Isaac Msongeya and Charles Mhone.
The initial line-up for Chilima’s legal team comprised current Attorney General Chikosa Silungwe as lead counsel, Marshall Chilenga, Bright Theu, Khumbo Bonzoe Soko and George Mtchuka Mwale.
It’s rough. Paying all this amount yet people are dying in the hospitals because the Government cannot afford to buy gas cylinders for covid-19 patients. What a shame
BANGULANI MOKWEZA. Nde ku opposition kumeneko!!!
Kasumeni ku khothi! LOL
Some people are being paid twice for the same job here. Chikosa Silungwe is attorney general as a reward for the same case. Titus Mvalo is Minister of Justice as a thank you of the same case. Isnt that enough? Do we need to pay them billion kwachas as well on top of the positions. If Silungwe and Mvalo got their share, they ought to resign from their positions asap. You can not get paid twice for the same job. Other wise we as citizens we will drag you two to court for this.
Meanwhile mwayambanso zothimisa magetsi. Panya panu!!!
This is a man who not long ago was declaring national disaster for his country and flouting a begging bowl to international donors for assistance to fight covid 19, while preparing a whopping payment for himself and his vice President and their lawyers from the national budget! What kind of President is this? Does he have national priorities? Hospitals are lacking equipment to help suffering covid patients and he prioritises selfish aggrandisement. Should we be surprised a big NO. This is a man who has showed that he is a President for himself and his family and cronies.
Pamene magetsi ayambano kuvuta ma cases a covid kukwera mosauzana. Mboli zanu ma guy!!!
We have money for everthing but never for essentials? Even we are economically and financially against the wall, the big guys, politicians, lawyers and bankers get always their payment first! Do the leader of the family buys first the Ferrari or does he pay the utilities and groceries first? When do we start to get our priorities right! If we can learn one thing from this pandemic, it doesn’t differentiate between rich and poor, between developed and non developed! It humbles and shows us that before our creator we are all the same! Therefore it matters how we manage, how… Read more »
Tonse govt priorities is paying themselves billions in a week the country is going through worst covid-19 pandemic. To make it worse the health minister was on TV claiming hospitals are overwhelmed about to be full, not enough testing facilities and quarantine facilities, no PPEs.
Zogwetsa mphwayi kwambiri. This country will never develop. MCP is already proving to be a merciless mapwevupwevu government. I am really worried as a citizen. We are heading nowhere. The promised Canaan was a hoax from the ‘man of god’ Chakwera. Yes, Chakwera’s god has a small ‘g’.
By the way why do these lawyers overcharge their services? Is this fair trade? Are lawyer charges not equal to money laundering? God where are you? Koma Chakwera wawonjeza guys. Delivery is Zero koma kuba ndalama basi. Fotseki! Where is HRDC in this scam?
This is not overcharged, the amount was at market prices and was verified by the High Court and Supreme Court. I am surprised why you are involving the president in this. The judiciary are independent and this issue has nothing to do with Corona or drugs in the hospital
The lawyers fully deserve their pay. This was confirmed by the High Court and Supreme Court. The amount is for the services rendered based on a contractual agreement, to cover all the costs incurred and time spent in the case. They are in business and instead of earning this money on other private clients, these HEROES decided to faithfully serve their nation. Did you want them to provide the services for free? How will they pay their bills? Do you want them to go bankrupt? Come on, please understand business principles.
You realise kuti ma judge akudya nawo pomwepa right? Don’t be naive. This is free money. Daylight robbery by the judiciary