The High Court in Lilongwe on Wednesday rejected bail application of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo forcing him to spend the fifth day in Police custody.
Mphwiyo who’s shooting on September 13, 2013 led to the revelation of massive looting of public funds at Capitol Hill dubbed cashgate was arrested alongside his three suspects on Saturday.
The former Budget Director and his 17 co-accused appeared in court on Wednesday to be formally charged on cases relating to the plunder of public funds and for bail plea.
After reading their charges, Director of Public Prosecutions, Mary Kachale urged the court to adjourn the case “for at least two weeks” to give chance to accused persons to read the charge sheet before they take plea.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Esmie Chombo adjourned the case to 16 December 2105 for plea.
Turning to bail application, Judge Chombo granted bail to seven suspects and state objected Mphwiyo’s bail plea.
Justice Chombo then adjourned the case to today Thursday to hear objection from the state why the court should no grant Mphwiyo bail unlike his co-accused who have been given bail.
Mphwiyo, David Kandoje, George Banda, Michela Mphatso, Samuel Mzanda and Maxwell Namata are facing charges of fraud, negligence by public office, money laundering, theft by public servant, theft by servant and conspiracy to defraud government amounting to K2 446 817 450.49.
The other suspects include Limumba Karim, Auzius Kazombo Mwale , Stafford Mpoola, Roosevelt Ndovi, Ndaona Satema and others.
