Suzi Banda elected Malawi Law Society new president

Malawi Law Society (MLS) has elected its former treasurer John Suzi-Banda as the new president of the body.

Suzi-Banda was elected at the Nkopola Lodge where the MLS held its Annual General Meeting. He takes over from Mandala Mambulasa.

The deputy president of MLS is now Powell Gift Nkhutabasa of Fountain Court Law Offices in Lilongwe. He has replaced Emmanuel Theu.

The MLS elected Khumbo Bonzoe Soko of Soko and Co Kwacha Chambers in Lilongwe to be the secretary general replacing Felisah Kilembe.

The new purse keeper of MLS is Ms Chimwemwe Ngondoma of NBS Bank.

MLS elected three committee members who include Francis Ekari M’mame of Auction Holdings Ltd, Mrs Beatrice Mwangwela Malawi Revenue Authority and Ted Roka of Kalekeni Kaphale Lawyers in Blantyre.

The disciplinary committee members elected were Mrs Videlia Mluwira of Malawi Savings Banda and
George Bakuwa George of Chisanga and Company law firm.

The new MLS faces a challenge to uphold the legal profession that respects minimum standards of integrity and ethical behaviour by letting lawyers answering criminal charges to continue representing clients in court.

Currently, lawyers answering criminal charges and representing clients on the same are private practice lawyers Ralph Kasambara (Senior Counsel) and Wapona Kita.

The two are being co-accused in conspiracy, possession of property suspected to have been stolen amounting to K55 million and money laundering, but at the same time they are also representing their clients in similar cases.