Paul Mphwiyo case ruling in March 2023
The High Court in Lilongwe Tuesday completed the hearing of the K2.4 billion Cashgate case involving former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo and 14 others nine years after it commenced.
The case closed with cross-examination of the 11th accused person Stanford Mpoola by the state and re-examination by the defence lawyers.
Justice Ruth Chinangwa who was hearing the matter said the court intends to deliver its ruling by March 2023 failing which it would not be later than June 2023.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Steve Kayuni confirmed the development, saying they have been given 90 days to file their submissions.
“The court is quite voluminous and in the meantime each party will be allowed to collect it electronically. We are talking of over six thousand pages. The court has asked each party to file its submissions by November 30, 2022 before it makes its determination on the matter,” he said.
On the general progress of the matter, Kayuni said it has been a long trial and that he is glad that it has come to an end.
“It’s been a long trial but we glad it’s come to an end. It is for the court now to decide on the probative value of evidence,” he said.
Tuesday Justice Chinangwa also denied bail to one of the Cashgate suspects Steve Phiri, whose bail was revoked on Monday after he sent a text message to Mpoola while he was giving his testimony, asking him why he was implicating other people.
Justice Chinangwa in her ruling said, what Phiri did leave a lot to be desired and it was interference with the court process.
“This court agrees with the state that there was interference because Phiri sent the text after the witness mentioned his name while trial was in progress…all in all the bail application is denied and the applicant will remain in custody,” Chinangwa pronounced.
Mphwiyo was arrested in 2014 after being suspected to have played a part in the looting and grand corruption at Capital Hill which, despite being uncovered during Banda’s reign, was believed to have begun before her taking office.
The revelation in September 2013 resulted in the British Government sponsoring an independent audit that focused on transactions made through the Integrated Financial Management and Information System.
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