Paul Mphwiyo, 18 others have case to answer
The High Court in Lilongwe Tuesday found former budget director Paul Mphwiyo and 18 others with a case to answer in relation to K2.4 billion that was allegedly laundered from the government.
Judge Esmie Chombo has since adjourned the matter to June 15 when the defence will have to respond to the case.
“The accused persons are required to enter into their defence and bring evidence that will contradict presumptions made by the prosecution,” Chombo said.
In an interview, lawyer for Mphwiyo, Shadreck Mhango, said they are ready with their defence.
“We had expected a no case to answer but then with any court ruling, it is bound to go either way. We are ready to proceed to the next stage of the case and parade defence witnesses,” he said.
Mphwiyo and 18 others are answering various criminal charges including money laundering, theft, abuse of office and use of criminal proceeds, among others.
The case was brought before the court in 2015 but actual trial of the matter started in 2017 up to January 2020, when the state paraded over 35 witnesses.
