Lin Yunhua fails to take plea as lawyer challenges corruption case
Lin Yunhua
Jailed Chinese businessman Lin Yunhua has not taken a plea in court today after his lawyer, Fostino Maere, objected to the charges brought against him.
Yunhua, who has previously been linked to an international wildlife trafficking network, is accused of attempting to bribe a public official to receive favorable treatment while in detention at Maula Prison.
The objections, raised by his lawyer, Fostino Maere during a court session in Lilongwe, argued that the five corruption-related charges against his client lack merit. Click Capital FM for more information.
Maere further challenged the state to summon the prison officers allegedly involved in the case to face corruption charges alongside his client or dismiss the case entirely.
He criticized what he described as selective prosecution, stating, “As a country, we claim to be fighting corruption, but we are choosing the people we want to prosecute. Let the prison officers who claim they were persuaded by my client answer their part of the crime, otherwise, let the case be dismissed.”
However, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Principal Prosecution Officer Peter Sambani defended the charges, expressing confidence in the state’s position.
Sambani remains optimistic that the court will rule in their favor, allowing the accused to take a plea and enabling the case to proceed.
Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe is expected to deliver a ruling on the matter this Friday.
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