High Court in Lilongwe has denied an application by former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara and others to have their case of money laundering involving over K5 billion to be discharged.
Kasambara, who is accused of conspiracy, possession of property suspected to have been stolen and money laundering,made the application on Monday, accusing the State of not being ready with the case.
“It seems they rushed to come to court when they were not ready with the case. According to the case, if the Lutepo case is not concluded, it means our case will not move. What if the case drags on? We cannot stop because there is that other case. If they want us to wait, then they should discharge us. When they are ready they will tell us. It makes no sense for us to continue abiding to bail conditions,” said Kasambara.
Earlier, State prosecutor Kamudoni Nyasulu applied to the same court to suspend hearing of the case until another case involving business man Oswald Lutepo is completed at the Zomba High Court.
But Kasambara feels that the situation is a complete denial of his right and others to the speedy trial.
However, Justice Chifundo Kachale on Tuesday dismissed the application arguing the State did not portray lack of preparedness because full trial was yet to commence.
Kachale observed that the State has a valid point in its submission that the conclusion of the Lutepo’s case in Zomba will give some clues to the prosecution of the Kasambara and others case.
