Judge Patrick Chirwa, sitting as a Chief Resident Magistrate in Lilongwe, has adjourned a case involving Former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority CEO, Collins Magalasi and former procurement officer at the authority, Bright Mbewe.

The court case involves the alleged misprocurement of a laboratory fuel testing van worth K704 million.

The defence was meant to start its defence today, but Magalasi’s lawyer Andy Kaonga, through fellow defence lawyer, Enoch Chibwana, has told the court that his client is sick and could not be at the court.

State Advocate Dzikondianthu Malunda told the court that, even though Kaonga informed him of the development, he expected the defense lawyer to be present at the court.

While adjourning the case to an unspecified date, the judge said it was unfortunate that he had to travel from Zomba to Lilongwe for the case just to hear the defence seeking adjournment, without prior communication.

The judge, however, agreed with the state that the case be adjourned because “matters of health are very delicate”.