NOCMA fuel supply contract case: Deffence wants accused discharged

Kambala and Chihana during a previous court appearance
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has until the 22nd of this month to respond to an application by the defense to discharge the accused persons in the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) fuel supply contract case.
Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza gave the direction in Lilongwe yesterday following concerns raised by the defense team.
In their arguments on Thursday, defense lawyers George Mtchuka Mwale, Wapona Kita and Bright Theu asked the court to discharge the 3 accused persons who are former energy minister Newton Kambala, Alliance for Democracy president Enoch Chihana and former presidential adviser on strategy Chris Chaima Banda.
Among others, lawyers for the accused faulted the ACB of not showing ability and unwillingness to procure prosecution of the accused persons arguing the conduct is as a mockery to the rule of law.
Responding to the concerns, ACB lawyer Peter Sambani asked for seven days to respond to the issues raised but he was quick to indicate that the Bureau is ready to continue with the case from July 10 this year.
On the accusation being raised by the defense’s legal team, Sambani said the ACB director Martha Chizuma who was not present at court would be in a better position to respond since she is the one handling the matter.
After the ACB’s response by June 22 and written submissions by the defense on their argument by 26 June, the Chief Resident Magistrate Khoswe Chimwaza will on the 30th of this month give her ruling on the matter.
Kambala, Chihana and Chaima Banda who are currently on bail were arrested in August 2021 for allegedly trying to influence a public officer to abuse office in the procurement of fuel contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act.