Defence for Newton Kambala former minister of Energy, Chris Chaima Banda former presidential adviser on strategy and Enock Chihana President for Alliance for Democracy has asked for Lilongwe Chief Magistrate Court to discharge the case on their alleged attempt to influence contracts at NOCMA.

The three were arrested by Anti-Corruption Bureau on 9th August 2021 on suspicion that they wanted to play a role for Hellen Buluma Deputy Chief Executive Officer for NOCMA to award contracts to Orxy, Finergy and Trafigura.

On Thursday, Kambala, Banda and Chihana appeared before the court for directions of the hearing on the case.

Meanwhile, Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza has asked ACB to make their written response submissions on application to discharge the three by 22 June.

Chimwaza has further given defence up to 26 June to file their submissions and that ruling on the application will be made on 30th June 2023.

George Mtchuka Mwale, one of the defence lawyers said they want the three accused persons be discharged following lack of seriousness by the ACB to prosecute the matter.

Meanwhile, Peter Simbani one of lawyers for ACB has said they are ready and that they will be making all needed submissions for the trial to proceed.

Source: MIJ