Phalombe Second Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced 23 year old Maxwell James to 5 years imprisonment for unlawful bank notes making and obtaining money by false pretense.

The court heard through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Dingiswayo Mbepula that on December 09, 2023, the convict made a transaction of K155, 000 through an Airtel Money agent at Mulomba Trading Centre.

Mbepula said when the transaction was successful, the agent realized that the money which was in K5,000 notes, was counterfeit.

Appearing before the Second Grade Magistrate Steve Samati, the convict pleaded guilty.

In his mitigation, James pleaded for forgiveness, saying he is the first offender and bread winner of his family.

But the state prayed for stiffer punishment; arguing the act is an enemy of the economy and that it will lead to loss of public trust to the currency and Reserve Bank of Malawi.

–Copied;Times360Malawi-