Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma has made an application for adjournment of the case in which former presidential advisor Chris Chaima Banda and others are accused of attempting to influence award of fuel contracts at National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma).

Chizuma says the State witness Helen Buluma is not ready to continue with cross -examination and so is the state.
The case resumed this morning for continuation of cross-examination of the state witness.

“Cross examination is part of the right to fair trial. In choosing fair trial there is also need to balance the interest of the State,” said Chizuma.

She further said the court should consider that Buluma has made herself available before court including today although she is not ready for the cross-examination.

Chizuma also submitted that there have been several applications for adjournments by the defence despite Buluma being available.

She then asked that the matter be adjourned to a date when the witness and State will be ready.

Defence lawyer Wapona Kita said it was difficult for him to respond to the application for adjournment as the State has not explained the reason why Buluma is not ready to be cross-examined.

“The questions I am asking myself is; is she sick? I don’t know how I should respond to an application for an adjournment that she is not ready to proceed without reasons,” explained Kita.

Another defence lawyer Khumbo Soko has objected to the application for an adjournment saying there is no reason given for the application for an adjournment.

Soko says the witness is trying to run away and should not be allowed to escape. He said Buluma has to face the heat.
He added that the defence was giving valid reasons for adjournments but ACB is not giving reasons.

Source:NPL