By Pemphero Malimba:
Wildlife crimes and money-laundering convict Lin Yunhua has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of corrupt practices and abuse of public office.
The case is being heard by High Court Judge Redson Kapindu in Lilongwe.
Lin faces two counts of corrupt practices with public officers, alleged to have occurred while he was on remand at Maula Prison in 2019.
He is accused of offering K30 million and the completion of a house to Aaron Ganyavu Kaunda, then officer-in-charge of Maula Prison, to persuade the then Chief Resident Magistrate Violet Chipao to reduce his sentence in a wildlife and money-laundering case.
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The five counts of abuse of public office relate to Lin’s 14-year prison term between 2022 and 2023.
He is alleged to have persuaded Maula Prison officials to allow him to leave the prison on several occasions to visit his home in Area 9, Biwi, Kanengo, and Bunda in Lilongwe.
Anti-Corruption Bureau Principal Legal and Prosecution Officer Peter Sambani said the State would call 15 witnesses.
“Having entered a plea of not guilty, the State will have to prove its case, and we will call at least 15 witnesses,” Sambani told the court.
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He opposed a defence request for a 14-day adjournment to secure a Chinese translator, needed for Lin to understand aspects of the case, including the evidence.
Defence lawyer Powell Nkhutabasa insisted that the translator was necessary for consultations with his client.
Sambani also raised questions about legal representation, saying Lin’s previous lawyer, Fostino Maele, had been appointed Director of Public Prosecutions, and it was unclear whether Maele Legal Practice still represented the suspect.
He argued that the defence had sufficient time to arrange a translator and that the hearing should proceed.
High Court Judge Kapindu ruled that the accused had the right to a translator and adjourned the case, adding that he would give directions today.
Lin is serving a 14-year sentence for wildlife crimes and money-laundering.
