Chinese national Lin Yunhua who was convicted for wildlife crimes and money laundering,  has pleaded not guilty to multiple corruption charges during his appearance before the Principal Resident Magistrate Court.

Yunhua, who is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence at Maula Prison, faces two counts of corrupt practices with public officers and five counts of abuse of public office.

The charges stem from allegations that in 2019, while on remand, Yunhua offered K30 million and promised to complete the construction of a house for Maula Prison Officer-in-Charge Aaron Ganyavu Kaunda. This was allegedly an inducement for the officer to influence the magistrate to impose a lesser sentence in his initial case.

Additionally, between 2022 and 2023, while already serving his jail term, Yunhua allegedly persuaded prison officials to leave prison premises to buy farm inputs and other personal items on his behalf. He is also accused of instructing them to visit his house in Area 9, Lilongwe.

During the court session, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) principal legal and prosecutions officer Peter Sambani informed the court that the State will parade 10 witnesses to prove the case.

Following Yunhua’s not guilty plea, Principal Resident Magistrate Roderick Michongwe has adjourned the case to April 8, 2025, when the prosecution will begin presenting its witnesses.

NPL