Over Mk100 million has been deducted from MK1.7 billion that former President Dr. Bakili Muluzi and his personal assistant Violet Whiskey are being accused of plundering.

Muluzi and Whiskey are accused of misappropriating $11 million (about K7.6 billion at present exchange rate, but the court is quoting the 2005 value of K1.7 billion) in public funds.

The case started on Thursday last week with the State parading the first witness in the name of Victor Banda, former Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) deputy director.

In his testimony, Banda argued that some of the money that Muluzi is being accused was not acquired dubiously and the State was left with no option but to deduct some of the money from the case during the Friday hearing.

The case was adjourned earlier on Friday to allow Muluzi to attend prayers at a mosque.

The case is expected to resume today with Muluzi’s lawyer continuing to cross-examine first prosecution witness Victor Banda.

The case dates back to 2006 and has now taken about 10 years due to numerous adjournments mainly attributed to the former president’s ill health.