Saturday, May 21, 2022
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Editors Pick

APM pushes bank to unfreeze account

by Golden Matonga
07/12/2020
in Editors Pick, National News
4 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Former president Peter Mutharika has asked Standard Bank to unfreeze his bank account frozen by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in August or face legal consequences.

In a letter to Standard Bank dated December 4 2020 signed by lawyer Samuel Tembenu, Tembenu, Masumbu & Company legal firm reminded Standard Bank that the restriction notice on Mutharika’s personal account and the joint account with former first lady Gertude Mutharika expired; hence, the bank should allow the account holders access.

Wants to access his money: Mutharika

Reads the letter in part: “On the 7th August 2020, your bank was served with a Restriction Notice issued by the Anti-Corruption Bureau under Section 23 [i] of the Corrupt Practices Act [relevant provision attached]. The notice places restriction on the bank not to deal or transact in any way in relation to the above-mentioned accounts unless you have consent of the Director of ACB.

“The notice was valid for a period of three months. We have not been served with any notice of extension nor are we aware of any process to that effect.

“The validity of the notice having expired, our clients now intend to access their accounts. This letter, therefore, serves as notice of our clients’ intention to issue instructions to you, making payments out of any of the above-mentioned accounts.”

The letter warns the bank of legal action if it fails to adhere to the request.

The letter comes days after the ACB last week confirmed hitting a deadlock with Mutharika’s lawyers on the issue and that the parties were scheduled to face in court.

The Mutharikas alongside then State Residences chief of staff Peter Mukhito, Malawi Revenue Authority deputy commissioner general Roza Mbilizi and Mutharika’s personal bodyguard Norman Chisale had their bank accounts frozen in connection with an investigation into the importation of cement worth K5 billion by businessperson Shaffie Chunara allegedly using Mutharika’s privileges as President.

Yesterday, Standard Bank plc head of marketing and communication Thokozani Unyolo could not be reached for the bank’s comment on the development.

On the other hand, ACB director general Reyneck Matemba refused to comment on the expiry of the Restriction Order and subsequent questions.

“I will not comment on the matter,” he said.

A source familiar with the matter said Mbilizi was allowed to access K2 million from her account for medical treatment, but the bureau refused the Mutharikas permission to access their accounts on advice of investigators.

The bureau and Mutharika’s lawyers were due to appear in court on December 22, but in an interview yesterday Tembenu said Mutharika was addressing the bank as there was no longer any valid restriction order.

“The freeze order was never served on our client, but on the bank. The relationship is between the bank and our client, we have written them several letters, which they haven’t responded to us but went to newspapers. The freeze orders were valid for 90 days,” he said.

Tembenu also questioned ACB’s impartiality over the case, saying it was puzzling that while Mutharika has been repeatedly denied access to the account, Mbiliizi was allowed access to hers.

Addressing the press in Lilongwe last Thursday, Matemba confirmed the two sides will appear in court on 22 December after discussions with Mutharika’s lawyers fell through.

“They requested us to unfreeze his accounts and we refused and we both agreed that the court should be involved to make a decision on the matter,” he said.

The law allows the bureau to freeze assets for preservation from disposal of suspected proceeds of crime, pending conclusion of investigations under the Corrupt Practices Act and the Financial Crimes Act.

In September, the bureau indicated that it was allowing Mutharika and other officials whose accounts were frozen to be making drawings for payments of daily necessities.

Previous Post

U-20 geared for Namibia

Next Post

Health delivery under threat

Related Posts

Left economy in tatters: Muluzi
Front Page

Malawi’s public debt now at K5.8 tn

May 21, 2022
Signed the statement: Namiwa
Front Page

Cdedi demands govt action on forex

May 21, 2022
Chakaka-Nyirenda: I recommend termination of the contracts
Front Page

AG urges cancellation of Movesa no. plate deal

May 21, 2022
Next Post
Health service derivery could be negatively affected following the aid cut

Health delivery under threat

Opinions and Columns

Layman's Reflection

New IMF programme pivotal moment for Tonse Alliance

May 21, 2022
Family Table Talk

Historical lessons on the value of forgetting

May 21, 2022
My Diary

Politics of ‘kutola chikwama’

May 21, 2022
Bottom Up

Ukraine war: Sanctions backfire?

May 21, 2022

Trending Stories

  • Left economy in tatters: Muluzi

    Malawi’s public debt now at K5.8 tn

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • CAF accepts FAM’s request on Flames fixture shift

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Onesimus leaves Major One Records

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gaba comes up with two options

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • UN bets K66bn on LMC’s plan

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Malawi-Music.com Top10

  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2022 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.