Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Director of Operations Joe Nyirongo will remain in custody at least for the next 10 days after Mzuzu Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda Monday reserved his ruling on Nyirongo’s bail application.
The DPP official was arrested earlier this month on allegations that he was involved in a robbery that happened in the Northern Region city.
State prosecutor Vickness Simwinga Monday asked the court to permit that Nyirongo, who is a popular businessperson in Mzuzu, should remain in custody apparently because the victim of the robbery is still in pain.
The ruling by the court means Nyirongo will be in the cooler until his case returns for hearing and bail ruling on July 5.
Simwinga argued that releasing the suspect now would jeopardise investigations.
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“Nyirongo is the only accused person who was arrested and chances are that if we release him on bail, it could be very difficult to apprehend his accomplices.
“I also objected as the victim is still sick and cannot stand in court as a witness. So we applied for 14 more days but the court has granted 10 days and the case has been adjourned to July 5,” she said.
During the alleged robbery incident, a businessman who had hired a taxi reportedly lost about K6 million.
Simwinga said the charges brought against Nyirongo might be amplified depending on pieces of evidence that investigators are gathering.
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Apart from Leonard Mbulo, Nyirongo has added to his defence team lawyer Lincoln Edward.
The DPP official, popularly known as ‘Big Joe’, is suspected to have been in the company of four others who allegedly robbed the businessman.
