Lilongwe’s former mayor Bikoko granted bail in corruption case
Former Mayor for Lilongwe City Desmond Bikoko has been granted bail by Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Court after his dramatic arrest on corruption charges linked to alleged illegal sale of land.
Lawyer for Bikoko, Gilbert Khonyongwa, applied for bail after the former mayor was arrested by the graft-busting body.
Senior Resident Magistrate Florence Msekandiana heard the bail bid and released Bikoko on Wednesday aftermoon.
He has since been formally charged with two counts of abuse of office.
Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) lawyer Benjamin Mandala said that the bureau will now await consent from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mary Kachale to proceed with prosecution.
The court has set December 11 2019 for Bikoko to take plea.
Bail bond includes K20,000 cash, two surities K1 million each, surrendering traveling documents and Bikoko is expected to appear before ACB offices every Monday fortnightly.
Lawyer Khonyongwa said he is looking forward to the date of the trial.
ACB officials hinted that more arrests are expected for Lilongwe city council officials over the land issue.
Malawians have expressed concern over the way land has been sold to the powerful and rich politicians and organisations.
145 million, billions corruption koma osamamgidwa. I hope for another Boma, anthu awa akalowe.
Mark my words this is the end of the case. Land grabbing affects people at the very top and is one of the so many ways captains of this government are amassing wealth through the so-called Malawians of Asian Origin (or let’s say Asians of Malawi Origin).
What I noted is that issues are not adding up. The story has not specified what really happened. Was a plot allocated to somebody and whose name and how much did bikoko benefit? Otherwise there is nothing here and thats why there is bail bond of 20000. No or meagre risks here paja achewa milandu too much kuzolowera kuphera nkhuku kobibira kudambwe basi.
We will not be able to see light of this case.
amayenda mmbali
He had K20,000 ready. Wise guy.
It starts with bail and the end of the case good luck bokoko