The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court has today failed to start hearing a case involving interdicted director of energy in the Ministry of Energy Cassius Chiwambo because Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) prosecutors failed to travel from Zomba due to lack of fuel.

The hearing has since been adjourned to August 11, 2022.

Chiwambo is suspected of having indulged in corruption in the procurement of suppliers for the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (Marep) Phase Nine Project.

Defense lawyer Khumbo Soko has confirmed to Nation Online that a lawyer from ACB Lilongwe offices informed the court today (in chambers) that their colleagues from Zomba had no transportation and would therefore not be available for the hearing and sought for an adjournment.

Soko expressed worry over the delay.

He said: “We were ready to proceed with the case, and we are anxious to have this case concluded. This adjournments are unnecessary costs to our clients.”

ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala was yet to respond to our questionnaire on the bureau’s failure to arrange transportation for its prosecutors.

Source:NPL