Ex-minister Henry Mussa’s case goes for trial Jan 13

Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba has set January 13, 2021 as the date when the case where former cabinet minister and versatile politician Henry Mussa is accused of stealing government computers and a gen-set when he served as Information Minister last year goes for trial. His co-accused is former Director of Information, Gedion Munthali.

Both accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On December 7, the last time the court sat for plea, the charge sheet contained allegations and particulars that were insufficient and were lacking, according to Mussa’s lawyers.

“The charge sheet did not inform the accused persons exactly what they were being accused of. For instance, the computers and genset were just described as computers and a genset without identifying them with any brand or any other specific description.

“Furthermore, the charges contained a charge of money laundering which did not even allege money laundering. The charge did not state that money was laundered or accuse any of the accused of having laundered any money,” one of the lawyers, Chrispin Mndala said.

He said consequently, the charges were objected to, and the state agreed to amend the charges. The second accused, Mussa, did not take a plea at the time as the charges were defective. The matter was consequently set down for plea on Monday, December 14, 2020.

According to the lawyer, on the day the state proffered a charge sheet that described the items in better details. The charge of money laundering was also dropped.

“The matter has been set down for trial on 13th of January, 2021. Trial is expected to commence on this day as the state has now served all its documents, including witness statements, on the defence” said Mndala.