The High Court has sentenced Mohamed Shahid Iqbal Juma, a Malawian of Indian origin, to 45 years imprisonment with hard labour for murdering his wife, Zaheera Jabbar Akbanie.
Justice Bruno Kalemba passed the sentence after convicting Juma of murder.
State lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda said the sentence brings an end to a case that had been before the courts for more than five years.
“The conclusion of the case brings an end to a lengthy legal journey for Akbanie’s family, who have waited more than five years for the matter to reach its conclusion at trial level,” Malunda said.
Akbanie, 35, was found dead at the couple’s Area 9 residence in Lilongwe on December 20, 2018, after Juma had visited her the previous evening.
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Court records show that the couple had previously separated but later reconciled, with Juma continuing to visit Akbanie at the residence.
Juma became a suspect after police linked him to the killing, as he was the last known person to have been with Akbanie before her death.
During a bail hearing, the State told the High Court that Juma had left the residence hurriedly that night. A witness described his driving as being as though he was “chasing a thief”.
Akbanie’s body was found the following morning in a pool of blood after a door at the residence had been forced open.
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Juma maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and disputed his involvement in his wife’s death.
Malunda argued that the evidence before the court established Juma’s responsibility for Akbanie’s death.
After considering the evidence and submissions from both sides, Kalemba found Juma guilty and imposed the 45-year sentence.
