The Anti-Corruption Bureau has released an official statement on the arrest of the country’s vice president Saulos Chilima in which it alleges that he received funds amounting to $280 (290 Malawian Kwacha) from United Kingdom-based businessperson Zuneth Sattar.

According to the statement which has been signed by ACB’s publicist Egrita Ndala, Chilima received the funds between March 2021 and October 2021 as a reward to influence awarding of contracts to Xavier Limited and Malachitte FZE, companies belonging to Sattar.

“… The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, vice president of the republic of Malawi…” read part of the statement.

Ndala added that Chilima will be charged on the accounts in the statement below…

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Chilima, George Mtchuka Mwale has applied for bail arguing that his client is not guilty until he is proven otherwise.

Mwale added that Chilima is not a flight risk considering the position he holds.

On the other hand, ACB has not objected to the bal application saying Chilima cannot indeed escape bail.

However, the bureau wants the matter to be committed to the Financial Crimes Court.