By Isaac Salima:
The Blantyre Senior Resident Magistrate Court yesterday granted bail to former deputy police boss Ackis Muwanga and ex-crime superintendent Laudon Nthinda, who are answering three charges.
The two were nabbed last week, when they were charged with alleged threats and extortion, money laundering and abuse of office.
They are accused of soliciting about K1.3 billion from some Malawians of Indian origin.
Senior Resident Magistrate Assunta Maxwell granted the suspects bail, saying the State failed to provide convincing grounds that the two should remain in detention.
- Advertisement -
Among other conditions, the court ordered the two to each provide a cash bond of K1 million, non-cash sureties of K10 million, submit travel documents at the court and that they should not leave the country without permission.
The court has also ordered the two to be appearing before the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions once a week and that they should not interfere with investigations.
Maxwell also faulted the State for delaying to bring the two before court, saying they were taken to court four days after their arrest—when they were supposed to be brought to the court 48 hours after arrest.
Maxwell also cautioned the State against arresting suspects before conducting thorough investigations.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
The court has also told the two suspects not to sell their property until the case is concluded.
State lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda said that they would conclude investigations within 21 days.
“We are satisfied with the bail conditions. For instance, they are not supposed to sell their property until the conclusion of the case, which is befitting to us,” he said.
Malunda further clarified that they were ready to take the two to court by Wednesday last week but indicated that they were told that a magistrate who is responsible for assigning officers was not in office.
