Malawi court asked to discharge ex-president Muluzi: Lead prosecutor withdraws from case

Lead prosecutor in the ongoing ‘K1.7 billion’ ($2.5 million) corruption case involving former president Bakili Muluzi have withdrawn from the high profile case, prompting the defence to ask Judge Maclean Kamwambi to discharge Muluzi using section 247 (1) of the of the Criminal Procedures and Evidence Code and Section 11 (c) of the Courts Act.

Muluzi: Malawi former president case falling apart, his lawyers asks for discharge
Muluzi: Malawi former president case falling apart, his lawyers asks for discharge

The surprise turn of events happened when the court met Thursday at the High Court in Blantyre.

Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) deputy director Reyneck Matemba who is the lead prosecutor  asked Judge Kamwambe to stand aside from the case just as the court session was to start.

His opting out leaves Imran Saidi as the only state lawyer as Clement Mwala’s contract which expired last week has not been renewed.

Since trial resumed on April 11 2016 over K100 million has been deducted from the K1.7 billion Muluzi and his co-accused, Lyness Violet Whiskey, are accused to have fraudulently acquired.

Whiskey is a former personal assistant to Muluzi and was handling bank transactions like deposits of the former president when he was in power.

Government initially claimed Muluzi’s corruption case stemmed from donor money in his account but former president has always denied wrong doing saying no foreign country would deposit donor money in a personal account.

He claimed the case was trumped up for political reasons.

Since the nine-year-old case resumed on April 11 2016, the defence expressed optimism that the figures will be deducted to zero from the K1.7 billion.

After prosecutors asked to quit the case, apparently due to lack of objective material evidence,   Judge Kamwambe went ahead and granted them the application, signalling that the state has abandoned the case.

Judge Kamwambe pointed out that the state prosecution “ is in total disarray in this case.”

“Before I make my own opinion on the matter let me ask the defence the application it wants to make,” he said.

Tamando Chokotho private practise lawyer for the former president Muluzi applied to the same court to discharge Muluzi and his co-accused Whiskey.

Chokhotho said the Criminal case number 1 of 2009 is facing with a blow  seven years down the line “where the future of the matter is uncertain.”

He said Muluzi and his co-accused have been facing “normal ostracism” from the society because of the case but they have all been ermined to vindicate themselves through the courts from any wrong doing.

However, the judge said he would make the ruling another day but asked for  state to be heard om May 12.

Chokotho said it was senseless to proceed with the case when the state had abandoned the case.

Muluzi governed Malawi from 1994 to 2004 when his term expired.

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Zilani
Zilani
8 years ago

The moment Atupele was appointed cabinet minister along side the midnight six, I prophesied that Bakili’s fraud case would be doctored and die a natural death. It has happened today. Malawi will remain a cursed country, courtesy of Muluzi. He hand-picked the Muntharika clan to protect him. Now we see the two families as allies in looting malawi publuc resources. As if that is not enough, our taxes will be paid to the thief for stealing from us. Am urging all the youth today to stand up and fight for Malawi. Saulosi Chilima wake up to see the writing on… Read more »

High Time
High Time
8 years ago

Komabe zili bwino. We want peace in this country. Komatu musayese kuti awa a malokowa tiwasiya. Paja amagawana ndi aja a tambla wakuda. Simungamange the father of democracy in Malawi. Kuchitekete bambo. Kumwera konse alhomwe ndi ayao, ma cousins, kuti manja wawawa. Uku ndikumene kumachokera olamula dziko. Kwina wa tambala wakuda kuja tabalimani fodya ndipo ku thengere tabasesani mmaofficemu.

Nkalapwaga
Nkalapwaga
8 years ago

Mnyamata wa pa Tawuni lo!

Vyantonda
8 years ago

ambuye lowaniponi iphani onse oyipa achinyengo Malawi is suffering Malawi is crying Malawi is dying Bakili die today, Gwanda die too and so on

Elite tribalistic thieves
Elite tribalistic thieves
8 years ago

Do will still wonder why as a country we are more poorer now than 20yrs ago? We are the poorest nation in the world? The same people who have been a real joke to our nation over the past 20yrs are at it again. “the Llomwe-yao elite thieves”. Unfortunately WB and IMF indicators (according to NSO) show dire poverty by the rural mass in this region compared to the other 2, courtesy to the selfishness of their tribalist kinsmens. It is not even the entire South Region nor all tribes/ families that is benefiting from such selfishness. Others as we… Read more »

Mbani
8 years ago

look at the name remaining Imran Saidi any justice here ACB what is this Malawians lets forget about 577 nothing will come out of this dollar inavaya basi

Levas saka
Levas saka
8 years ago

Right that is all you would let us know from long waiting? No idea coz malamulo mukuwadziwa kale

george
george
8 years ago

wa chiyao wangalusa

James Phiri
James Phiri
8 years ago

Then why do you condemn mob justice when you are failing to deliver justice? This is why Atupele has maintained working with clueless govt. Why do Peter claim to love your country when justice is failing? Mulungu simunthu. Be careful

johntembo
johntembo
8 years ago

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.My CHAIRMAN.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkndimunthu wankulu zedi. NDAKONDWERA mumawanamizira kuti asayime nawo pa 2009. kuchitekete..asaaaaaaah

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