By Wezzie Gausi:
Vice President Saulos Chilima’s lawyers Monday challenged the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to disclose the amount of money that the country’s second-in-command received in alleged bribes from United Kingdom-based businessman Zuneth Sattar.
This transpired after, on Monday, the Financial Crimes Court read six counts that have been leveled against Chilima.
Defence lawyer Khumbo Soko said that all counts levelled against Chilima do not mention the amount of money alleged to have been received or demanded from businessman Zuneth Sattar.
He said the charges are unconstitutional and that the court must throw out the case.
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“The initial charge sheet showed that Chilima received a sum of $280,000 in form of bribe to assist Xaviar Limited to be awarded food ration packs contract by Malawi Police Service.
“However, the new charge sheet does not mention the alleged bribe but, instead, accuses Chilima of demanding and receiving unspecified amounts of money for himself to influence a public officer to give his approval and enter into contract with the company,” Soko said.
State Lawyer Victor Chiwala said the State was not at liberty to disclose the amount as they do not have the figures.
He said it was up to the court to decide on what the defence wants.
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“We have our charge sheet ready and the court has read [it]. It is normal to have the defence react to it. We have our facts ready and we believe the next time the court reconvenes there will be a [sense of] direction given,” Chiwala said.
Meanwhile, High Court Judge Redson Kapindu has adjourned the matter to an unspecified date.
The court also ordered that the Malawi Defence Force should appear before the High Court in Lilongwe through the Attorney General to explain specific reasons for refusing to furnish the ACB with documents relating to Chilima’s corruption case.
