Dausi, Mwanamvekha appear in court for MK18 billion plunder of public funds
The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court has adjourned to October 11, 2022 a case involving former Ministers Nicholas Dausi and Joseph Mwanamvekha and three others.
Former Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) senior officials are accused of looting and plundering of public resources when the DPP was in power as President Dr Lazarus Chakwera continues to what he calls clearing the rubble.
In her ruling, Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwaza said the adjournment was necessary because the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr Steven Kayuni has not yet given consent to the graft busting body, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
She has also directed the ACB to make necessary amendments to the charge sheet and provide to defense all disclosures.
In the matter, the ACB is seeking to consolidate Dausi’s case with those for Mwanamvekha, Samuel Madula, Kennedy Nkhoma and Patricia Liabuba who earlier appeared before the Senior Resident Magistrate court after being cautioned.
The ACB has also made a prayer to have the matter adjourned to get consent from the DPP.
Lawyers for the defence are however seeking an amendment of the consolidated charge sheet to show clear dates and places on offenses committed. They further question how the state will proceed with the matter on parading of witnesses, considering that charges for the accused appear to be different.
The five were arrested in relation to the expenditure of over MK18.3 billion towards purchase of uniforms and equipment for Malawi Prison Services.
They are answering charges of abuse of office in the unlawful procurement of an exorbitant and unbudgeted for procurement contract between Government and One Guard FZE for the supply of Uniforms and Equipment for Malawi Prison Services.
