The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Chitipa has sentenced Luke Kanyika, 26, and Aston Silot Ghambi, 28, to 72 months and 60 months imprisonment with hard labour, respectively, for armed robbery.

State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Robert Chawinga stated that the men, part of a three-man gang, committed the crime in November 2023 at Jembya Bridge in Wenya.

They robbed a businessman of K6 million, a Kinglion motorcycle, a laptop bag, and a cellphone, valued at K7.8 million in total.

The third accomplice was killed by a mob, while Kanyika and Ghambi were rescued by police. Despite their not-guilty pleas, five state witnesses proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The prosecutor requested stiff sentences, citing the gravity of the offence, the unrecovered money, and its life-threatening nature.

First Grade Magistrate Billy Ngosi described Kanyika as the mastermind, sentencing him to 72 months, while Ghambi received 60 months for his role as an accomplice.

Kanyika hails from Chisenga Village in T/A Mwenewenya, and Ghambi is from Mwenegamba Village in Senior Chief Mwaulambia’s area, both in Chitipa District.