Ex-NFRA deputy boss to be sentenced on Monday

Former National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gerald Viola, has spent his first night in a prison cell as a convict.

Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba convicted Viola and revoked his bail yesterday along with businessman, Chrispin Chingola.

Viola, a former presidential press secretary, was convicted for abuse of office but was acquitted on two counts of forgery and interfering with the work of the NFRA’s internal procurement and disposal of assets committee.

On the other hand, his accomplice Chingola was convicted for influencing a public officer to misuse a public office.

The two, who were involved in a maize supply deal amounting to K3.3 billion without due diligence, will be duly sentenced next Monday.

After the conviction, lawyer for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Victor Chiwala, said they are satisfied with the judgement.

“We are happy with the verdict. The ones they have been convicted with are felonies which attract a 12-year maximum sentence,” Chiwala said.

On his part, counsel for the two convicts, Luciano Mickeus, indicated that he would consult on whether to appeal or not.

“I will have to consider reading the full judgement of the court and then take appropriate actions. I will also consider instructions from my clients.” Emphasized lawyer for the two who have been convicted over a faulty maize supply deal at the National Food Reserve Agency – NFRA.