Principal Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe on Monday reserved his ruling on whether to grant bail to three police officers who were arrested for allegedly unlawfully releasing five illegal immigrants from Ethiopia from lawful custody at Ntchisi Police Station.
Donald Hora, 56, Enifant Ngomano, 39, and Virginia Kasiya, 27, have since been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and abuse of office.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Cecilia Zangazanga, together with Superintendent Josphine Chigawa, who are prosecuting the case, informed the court about the charges against the accused.
The particulars of the case state that on October 10 2024, the accused conspired to unlawfully release five suspected irregular immigrants from lawful custody at Ntchisi Police Station.
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On the same date, the particulars further allege, the accused, being employed as police officers, abused their authority by unlawfully releasing the individuals from custody.
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The three officers all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Defence lawyer Robert Majekete then applied to the court for the accused to be released on bail, arguing that the case was a misdemeanour that only attracted a lenient sentence or fine.
However, Zangazanga argued that conspiracy to commit a felony involved planning or agreeing with others to commit a serious crime, saying the officers should remain in custody until all investigations are concluded.
She further informed the court that police officers, as public servants, used their position and authority for purposes not aligned with the law.
