A formal hearing to determine the costs former President Peter Mutharika and former Chief Secretary to the government Lloyd Muhara are supposed to pay for decisions they argue were made in their official capacities is set for January 26.

They were found guilty of forcing Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and Justice of Appeal Edward Twea to proceed on leave pending retirement.

Last November, the High Court in Lilongwe ordered Mutharika and Muhara to pay costs incurred in the case.

The court also faulted Mutharika and Muhara for interfering with the independence of the Judiciary.

On June 12 2020, Muhara issued a public notice that the Chief Justice and Twea should proceed on leave to clear his days pending retirement.

The a development angered rights organizations, Association of Magistrates in Malawi and lawyers who later held demonstrations citing the decision as an infringement of the doctrine of separation of powers.

Khumbo Soko Lawyer representing the complainants said that the costs will be determined after the hearing.