Mulli, Muhara and Chiunda trial to commence December

The Magistrate Court in Lilongwe has set the 13th and 14th of December this year as the trial dates for a fraud case involving former Secretary to Treasury Cliff Chiunda, former Secretary to the Government Lloyd Muhara and businessman Leston Mulli.

The three are being accused of defrauding the Malawi Savings Bank debt collection firm and abuse of office in 2019 and have since pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to court documents, the three, around March 2019 in Lilongwe, by way of fraudulent means signed a purposes consent order, conspired to defraud the Malawi Saving Bank debt collection company of K5 Billion contrary to section 323 of the penal code.

Muhara and Chiunda were also charged of abuse of office as at the same time and year, while working as Secretary to President and Cabinet and Secretary to Treasury respectively.

It is believed that the two arbitrarily signed a consent order in the case between MSB debt collection company and Mulli Brothers Company Limited purporting themselves as shareholders, in order to aid Mulli avoid paying the agreed monthly loan service of K5 million to MSB.

Meanwhile, the state has made all disclosures in readiness for the trial, with 4 witnesses ready to testify against the three.

However, Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwanza has asked all parties to make available necessary documents ready before the commencement of the trial in December.