High Court stops Chihana from acting as AFORD president

Lilongwe High Court judge Charles Mkandawire on Thursday granted a restraining order  to Alliance For Democracy (Aford) officials stopping Enock Chihana from acting as the party president, Nyasa Times can reveal.

The court has also ordered the party to hold its convention before end of the month of December 2017 in line with Aford constitution.

The ruling follows an application filed by some senior members that include Dan Msowoya, secretary general Christopher Ritchie, Owen Mumba and Earnest Kanyanya through their lawyer, Titus Mvalo of Mvalo and company.

According to information sourced by Nyasa Times, the court has further nullified all decisions Chihana has been making on the capacity as Aford  president since the expiry of his term on 8th September, 2017.

The four took the matter to the court after Chihana ordered that the party will no longer hold a convention on 16 December, 2017 as agreed by AFORD National Executive Committee (NEC) but next year in April.

Chihana’s decision to change the date follows Karonga central legislature, Frank Mwenifumbo interest to challenge him for the post of party president.

However, one of the applicants Christopher while confirming to have took the matter to the court, said he is yet to receive the report from his lawyer.

“Yes, the matter was in the court to day but I am yet to learnt about the outcome from our lawyer. But I will come back to you after meeting with the lawyer,” he said.

Effort to talk Mvalo proved futile.

Chihana is yet to issue a comment on the development.