Police in Lilongwe are hunting for three suspects who escaped from lawful police custody at Lilongwe Magistrate Court on November 26, 2021 at 11:00 o’clock.

The suspects have been identified as Phinious Banda, 23, Wiseman Patrick, 24 both from Lilongwe and one unidentified suspect.

The three suspects were taken from Maula Prison where they were on remand to Lilongwe Magistrate Court for their trial.

While waiting to be taken into the court room for trial, the three and others were kept in court cells at the Magistrate court.

The Lilongwe Magistrate Court offices are situated close to Lilongwe District Council offices.

On November 26, 2021 there were demonstrations in Lilongwe and when the demonstrators who came at Lilongwe District Council offices started rioting.

The three suspects took advantage of the volatile situation to bolt the court cells and disappeared into the rioting crowd and ran away.

The two identified suspects are the main culprits who were behind a series of burglary and theft cases in areas 3 and 9 in the city.

Phinious Banda, 23, comes from Nathenje Village, Traditional Authority Kalumba.

Wiseman Patrick, 24, comes from Nsundwe Village, T/A Kalolo, both from Lilongwe District.