By Pemphero Malimba:
The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate (CRM) Court Monday granted bail to governing Democratic Progressive Party strategist Collins Magalasi in a case in which he is accused of several charges, including the alleged hacking of some public officials’ mobile phones and involvement in the sale of Amaryllis Hotel.
CRM Austin Banda ruled that the State had not provided evidence on how the accused would abscond bail and trial.
“I grant the accused the same bail conditions provided to other accused persons in the case,” Banda said.
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Among other things, he ruled that Magalasi should pay K1 million cash bond, provide two sureties valued at K5 million and surrender his travel documents.
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The court has since directed the State to file disclosures and notice of adjournment.
Earlier in the court, Principal State Advocate Festas Sakanda asked the court to grant the state 14 days to file disclosures in the case.
“We do confirm that the State is ready to have all the seven accused persons appear before the court but we need a period of 14 days to file for the disclosures in the case,” Sakanda said.
He also asked the court not to grant bail to the accused as he was a flight risk.
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“We have heard concerns that the applicant is unwell. I should reiterate that the State showed willingness to comply with any order that the court may make for the applicant to access medical services,” he said.
In response, defence lawyer Andy Kaonga said Magalasi was not a flight risk.
“We pray that your court grants the accused bail on the bail conditions of the other six accused persons,” he said.
Magalasi left the court premises through an ambulance as he was reportedly not feeling well.
Among other things, Magalasi is accused of aiding another person to hack the phones of President Peter Mutharika and other senior government officials.
He is also answering charges of fraud, theft and money laundering in connection with transactions involving the Public Service Pension Fund.
The State alleges that between March 2024 and October 2025, Magalasi, acting jointly and with other people, defrauded the Public Service Pension Fund through decisions and transactions linked to the proposed acquisition of Amaryllis Hotel.
He is also accused of stealing money belonging to the fund in Lilongwe in January 2026.
The other count is money laundering, with the State alleging that in January 2026, Magalasi laundered money belonging to the fund, contrary to the Financial Crimes Act.
Police arrested Magalasi last month.
He was on remand until his release on bail.
