Njauju murder suspect fails to take plea

Criminal Investigations Department (CID) cop Christopher Naphiyo on Friday failed to take plea in the court for the murder of Anti Corruption Bureau official (ACB) Issa Njauju although 48 hours had elapsed since his arrest.

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) executive director Timothy Mtambo faulted the state for its failure to adhere to the Constitutional requirement to bring Naphiyo to court for plea.

“Our laws are very clear that he be brought to court within 48 hours of his arrest,” said Mtambo whilst pleading with the state to speed up the case because it has generated a lot of public interest.

In Malawi, murder suspects can be on remand for years, up to 10 years or more as such cases await donor funding.

Mtambo also told the state to be open, saying there are some facts which can be made public without jeopardising investigations.

Njauju went missing on July 2 after making a phone call to a friend to accompany him for afternoon prayers and his body was fond half buried near the presidential villas on the way to Kamuzu Palace whilst his vehicle was set ablaze by his assailants.

The arrest of Naphiyo is the second after another person was arrested after he was found with a mobile phone and has since been charged with murder.

The police are reluctant to give details of the connection of Naphiyo to the murder.