Court slaps cashgate convict Lutepo K1m for demanding K55m bail bond money
The High Court in Zomba has slapped cashgate convict and former People’s Party (PP) senior member Oswald Lutepo K1 million for demanding his K55 million bail bond money.
Justice Redson Kapindu ruled on Thursday that the demand was not only ill-conceived buy outrageous.
Kapindu said lawyer for Lutepo knows very well that the state intends to seize all the property of the convict for defrauding government K4 billion in what is now known as cashgate, the K30 billion looting of public resources at Capital Hill.
Kapindu then ordered Lutepo to pay K1 million to the state for a waste of judicial time and a waste of the resources of the state.
“I must finally conclude by strongly advising counsel to always carefully advise their clients on the merits of bringing certain claims before the courts.
“The court might, in future, contemplate invoking its inherent powers to impose persobal costs on counsel who facilitate the bringing of clearly frivolous and vexations applications that only seek to abuse the law and the judicial process,” said the judge.
Lutepo was arrested in 2013 and convicted in 2015 for charges of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud government of K4.2 billion (US$9.3 million) between April and September 2013.
The shooting of former Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo outside the gate of his Area 43 residence in Lilongwe on September 13 2013 opened a can of worms that exposed the plunder of public resources at Capital Hill later called Cashgate.
Former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ralph Kasambara was convicted over the shooting incident for conspiring to murder Mphiwyo. He is out on bail and appealing against the conviction.
British forensic audit firm, RSM (formely Baker Tilly), established that between April and September 2013, about K24 billion (US$53.3 million) in public funds was abused through payments for goods and services not rendered; inflated payments and payments without supporting documentation.
Why is kasambala and mphwiyo roaming free
Why indeed?
Has the Govt not yet recovered the money. Komatu a China Kasambala ndi Mphwiyo amakamuona mzawoyo. Iwowa anachita mwayi bwanji milandu yawo yosatha zaka zonsezi
Previous gvt was weak on such matters. There are many roaming out there.
Yes! sort out these bandits
Ana a Mayi JB amenewo. Now rotting in jail while the Mama is out here enjoying her Presidential Pension benefits. Dziko ili……
That’s the irritating part.
Clever lawyer. He needs the 55mili
Takes more than seven years after the conviction for the Government to seize assets of the accused? It does not indicate if Oswald Lutepo was jailed and now free after completing his sentence or still on bail because of Appeal. Bail is paid to ensure the accused attends court. For the Government to withhold this money after a conviction is not right. Government should have brought a civil suit after conviction or fined the accused at the time of conviction. Regardless Lutepo was cheeky to go to court to reclaim this money after being convicted for theft by servant. Courts… Read more »
bravo judge Kapindu