President Lazarus Chakwera’s former Advisor on special duties Pastor Martin Thom has been released on police bail just hours of his arrest.

His lawyer Sylvester Ayuba James confirmed of the development.

Pastor Thom was arrested yesterday in Lilongwe alongside a senior official from the Ministry of Finance, Nations Msowoya for allegedly smuggling a bill in parliament.

According to reports the two played a part in how one loan authorization bill jumped protocol and found its way to Parliament.

According to Ayuba James, Pastor Martin has been charged with four counts which are abuse of office, Conspiracy to defraud, Making false documents without authority and Uttering false document.

Earlier, State house director of Communications, Sean Kampondeni, said President Chakwera had directed immediate termination of the contract for Pastor Thom.