Murekezi will not be extradited to Rwanda: Malawi court dismisses removal case

The Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe has dismissed a case of alleged Rwandan genocide  suspect Vincent Murekezi and the Rwandan businessman will remain in Malawi.

Murekezi facing extradition -Photo by Mphatso Nkhoma, Nyasa Times

Magistrate Patrick Chirwa has dismissed the case on the grounds that Rwanda is not one of the designated countries that are mentioned in the Extradiction act of Malawi laws.

This comes after court last week asked both the defence and State to submit their views on the issue.

In its submissions state lawyer Steven Kayira told the court that the removal of a person includes those countries in Commonwealth like Rwanda and that the act intended not to include its treaty agreement between countries but arrangement between Commonwealth law and that Section 3 of the extradiction act gives power to the minister to enter into special agreement on extra-diction.

Kayuni told the court that genocide is also an extraditable offence under the extradiction act which include murder as an offence that one can be extradited for and he described genocide as killing that falls under the murder.

In their submissions the defence team led by Wapona Kita told the court that the case at hand is being tried using the Extradiction act of Malawi and by virtue of the issuing of Authority to proceed by the Home affairs minister as stipulated in the act, the case can’t continue using the Commonwealth  treaty if Rwanda is not one of the countries in agreement with Malawi under the act.

Kita argued that even in 1998 when the act was being revisited genocide had already took place in Rwanda, Malawi government still didn’t include genocide and Rwanda part of the act.

He told the court that the law is basic and it’s a wakeup call to a state, ministers to go and visit the powers and make provisions with Rwanda.

In his ruling today, SRM Patrick Chirwa agreed with the state that genocide falls under the murder and that it is indeed an extraditable offence according to the extradiction act of Malawi.

His worship Patrick Chirwa however, agreed with Kita’s argument that the Rwanda is not a designated country for extradition under the Extradition Act and dismissed the case .

He then set Murekezi free but said he will still be in custody for another case of ACB which he is answering.

In an interview with Nyasa Times, State lawyer Kayuni while agreeing with the ruling he said they will likely come back to the court with the matter if the Malawi government enters into the agreement with Rwanda and gazzeted in the Extradition Act.

Defence lawyer Kita expressed satisfaction with the ruling saying it is well reasoned and grounded in law.

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FuriousCitizen
FuriousCitizen
7 years ago

Seriously!!!! WTF is wrong with you people? Amalawi why do we do this to ourselves? Chaponda wawotcha office yake kma ayi nzabwinobwino, and now we can’t even deport a fucking Genocide suspect? Are you fucking kidding me?

Pastor E K banda
Pastor E K banda
7 years ago
Reply to  FuriousCitizen

Let’s respect our courts, remember the case of John Tembo, although the media convicted him but the court looks at the evidence not what the people want, is now over let Rwandas concentrate on their country and we Malawian deal with our Chaponda, we have nothing to gain in Rwandas politics but our Chimanga and now our building please.

Rukaka
Rukaka
7 years ago

What a stupid argument? Do you mean, Malawi has released a killer on ground of court procedures? Since when a sensible human being can equate killer with corruption? What is obvious is that Genocide is highest crime globally; if you cant extradite then Malawi courts have to prosecute him otherwise the release is the act of slapping international community. Even Canada or US or UK or Scandinavian countries do not have extradition treaty with Rwanda BUT they have extradited several people. I doubt if Malawi has the capacity or laws to prosecute the crime of Genocide hence on the same… Read more »

Alex M Chunga
7 years ago

A Pastor Banda!. letting Murekezi is very dangerous believe me. Murekezi was involved in killing his own, brothers, sisters, nieces, cousins, nephew, mothers and fathers to just mention a few. What do you think can prevent him from killing you and me and any other person who is dubbed not related. You already never know what his other dealings are but following the cases he answers in court, do you think he is a safe person to stay with? We do not need to respect the courts for the sake of respecting them. If court procedure have weaknesses then they… Read more »

Tom phiri
Tom phiri
7 years ago
Reply to  Alex M Chunga

Seems like you know a lot about Mr Murekezi. Do you have any proof that he has killed his own brothers and sisters?

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