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 News National News

Peter, others fail to take plea

by Staff Writer
11/04/2013
in National News
2 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) interim president Peter Mutharika, Malawi’s former Economic Planning and Development minister Goodall Gondwe and two others on Wednesday failed to take plea in a perjury case after defence and State lawyers differed on preliminary objections raised by the former.

Mutharika, alongside his first deputy Jean Kalirani, interdicted chief secretary to the government Bright Msaka and Gondwe appeared in court almost a month after being granted bail for their alleged role in the aftermath of former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika’s death and the power transition that followed in April 2012.

The four appeared before Lilongwe chief resident magistrate Ruth Chinangwa on only one charge of perjury, out of the six they were charged alongside seven others.

A visibly frail and confused Gondwe, who had challenges with walking, was the first to stand in the dock, but his appearance was short-lived as his lawyer, Titus Mvalo, sent communication that he will not be available.

Kalekeni Kaphale and Samuel Tembenu, who are lawyers for the other defendants, asked Chinangwa to immediately stop proceedings of the case as they are an abuse of court process.

They also argued that the proceedings were a breach of their clients’ right to fair trial.

This development seemingly took the State team, led by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Bruno Kalemba, unawares.

Argued Tembenu: “We have preliminary objections to make before the accused persons take a plea. Proceeding with the case at this stage is abuse of court process, as the matter at hand stands in two courts of law, the High Court and the one currently sitting.

“There is a certificate from the office of the DPP to the effect that cases of the accused persons, particularly that of perjury, be tried at the High Court. Now, without any explanation or reasons, we are back at this court. This is a breach of the accused persons’ right to fair trial.”

Kaphale chipped in, wondering where in the world people have been tried in two courts on the same case.

He told the court: “I do not know anywhere here and outside where people stand trial in two courts on same charges. Again, there is no evidence that the DPP notified the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament on the discontinuation of the case before recommencement as stipulated by law.”

Kalemba then asked the court to adjourn to a later date for the State to respond to the issue raised.

The case resumes on April 16.

Previous Post

Maize surplus at 740 000MT

Next Post

Fire guts down Bakers Pride Bakery in Limbe

Related Posts

Ribeiro: The UN in Malawi is contributing $ 77.6 million
Front Page

UN bets K66bn on LMC’s plan

May 20, 2022
Front Page

No quick fixes to forex scarcity

May 20, 2022
Editors Pick

‘Airlines suspension affects tourism sector’

May 20, 2022
Next Post

Fire guts down Bakers Pride Bakery in Limbe

Opinions and Columns

My Turn

Rescuing civil society from State capture

May 21, 2022
Guest Spot

US urges Malawi to increase fight against corruption

May 21, 2022
Business Unpacked

Fixing economy needs action, not rhetoric

May 19, 2022
Candid Talk

Know your place in his/her life

May 15, 2022

Trending Stories

  • CAF accepts FAM’s request on Flames fixture shift

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

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Laboratory scientists give government 14 day ultimatum

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • No quick fixes to forex scarcity

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nocma gets fuel supply assurance

    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.