Malawian court convicts Rwandan for  forging National ID

Rwandese national  has been convicted alongside Malawian citizen for forgery and furnishing false information to obtain National Identity Card contrary to section 43 of National Registration Act (NRA).

The Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate (FGM) Court in Dwangwa through State Prosecutor Superintendent Macllino Lungu on Thursday heard that on July 18, 2017, Christopher Sinayobye from Rwanda connived with Kondwani Banda to register as a Malawian citizen during the ongoing mass registration exercise in the country.

He said Banda with the intent to deceive, forged an official document with National Registration Form for the purpose of assisting Sinayobye to obtain national identity card.

The prosecutor told the court that with the forged information documents, Sinayobye managed to register at Linga Extension Planning Area (EPA) Hall which is at the district’s Council Headquarters.

“Due to information furnished by Banda, the Rwandese national successfully registered as Elias Banda of Makuta 11 Village, TA Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota. Later on the same day, well-wishers tipped police who arrested the two,” he said.

The duo who pleaded not guilty during the first day of their appearance in court did not take much of the court’s time as they pleaded guilty to both counts during the second appearance.

First Grade Magistrate, Kingsley Buleya then convicted and sentenced the two.

He asked the convicts to pay fines or in default serve sentences in prison.

In mitigation, both convicts indicated they were ignorant of the law on their charges, first offenders and that they had already served part of their sentences in prison before trial.

“I have overstayed in prison without trial due to recent industrial strike by the courts. I have been honest because I surrendered myself to police after hearing that I had an offence to answer. I have pleaded guilty. I have a wife and five children I look after,” Banda told the court.

“The first accused Sinayobye should pay K 400, 000 on the first count of forgery or in default spent two years in jail and pay K 200, 000 or in default serve another two year jail term.

“The court sentences you to K200, 000 fine for the first count or in default serve 9 months in jail and K100, 000 for furnishing false information count or serve another 9 months in prison,” Buleya concluded the case.

While Sinayobye paid the K 600, 000 fine immediately after the sentence.

Banda who hails from Makuta Village, Traditional Authority Makuta in Nkhotakota remained in the hands of Police.

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