LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Former Minister of Finance, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has dismissed reports suggesting that he is on the run following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Sources close to Chithyola say he remains committed to cooperating with the ACB and is expected to present himself to the bureau regarding the matter.
According to an aide who spoke to The Maravi Post, Chithyola had not received any formal communication concerning the warrant, as he had travelled outside Lilongwe on personal and business-related matters before news of the warrant emerged.
The aide maintained that Chithyola has no intention of evading the law and described circulating reports portraying him as “on the run” as misleading and politically motivated.
“To begin with, Honourable. Chithyola left Lilongwe on Friday evening. At the time of his departure, there was no information regarding any arrest warrant. This suggests that the warrant may have been obtained later that evening,” said the aide.
The aide further questioned reports alleging that ACB officials, accompanied by police officers, visited Chithyola’s residence at night in an attempt to execute the warrant.
“If indeed the ACB attempted to execute the warrant at night, that would be unusual. Typically, the ACB first communicates with suspects and gives them an opportunity to present themselves before taking further action.
“As of Friday evening, Hon. Chithyola had not received any communication from the bureau. We expect the ACB to formally engage him today, Monday, May 11, 2026,” the aide added.
The source argued that the reports being circulated by certain politically aligned media platforms are intended to damage Chithyola’s public image by creating the impression that he is fleeing from justice.
“Hon. Chithyola cannot run from the law. Previously, when he became aware of a warrant issued by the Fiscal Police, he voluntarily presented himself. There is no reason for him to behave differently now,” said the aide.
The ACB has since confirmed obtaining an arrest warrant against Chithyola Banda over allegations of abuse of office linked to the Mega Farms Project.
The warrant was issued by the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court on May 8, 2026.
Speaking to the press, ACB spokesperson Jacqueline Ngongonda stated that Chithyola Banda is suspected of abusing his office during his tenure as Minister of Finance.
“He is suspected of misusing his office as former Minister of Finance by allegedly approving approximately MK29.5 billion in extra-budgetary funding for the Mega Farms Project without justification, thereby benefiting the Greenbelt Authority,” said Ngongonda.
PAccording to the ACB, the funds were allegedly disbursed outside established government budgetary procedures.
This marks the second time Chithyola Banda has faced arrest-related allegations in recent weeks.
On April 13, 2026, the Malawi Police Service Fiscal and Fraud Section arrested him over allegations of abuse of office and money laundering connected to the controversial East Bridge fertilizer barter deal.
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