By Burnett Munthali
Lilongwe Resident Magistrate, Benjamin Chulu, says he will deliver his ruling on an application made by the defense team for the state to release Julius Mithi’s phone this Thursday, April 17.
The phone in question has been a subject of contention, with the defense arguing that the state has already accessed the information it required from the device.
Magistrate Chulu also announced that the full hearing of the case will commence on Monday, June 9, 2025.
During this session, the state is expected to parade its first witness to begin outlining its evidence against Mithi.
Speaking to members of the media outside the courtroom, Mithi’s lawyer, Khwima Mchizi, confirmed that the state has informed them that a total of three witnesses have been lined up for the case.
He expressed concern over the slow progress of the case, criticizing the state for what he described as unnecessary delays.
According to Mchizi, the state could have easily substituted the first witness, who is reportedly attending a funeral, with any of the two remaining witnesses.
He accused the prosecution of dragging its feet and causing unwarranted inconvenience to his client.
Despite these developments, Magistrate Chulu affirmed that Julius Mithi will remain on bail.
This means Mithi will continue to enjoy his temporary freedom while awaiting both the ruling on his phone and the official commencement of the trial in June.
The case, which centers around allegations of fabricating false news on social media, has drawn significant public interest, especially due to Mithi’s online influence.
Observers are closely watching how the court will handle both the digital evidence issues and the broader legal implications of social media content regulation in Malawi.
The Thursday ruling on the phone will likely set the tone for the trial’s direction, and both the defense and the state are expected to argue vigorously over the admissibility and control of digital materials.
Until then, the public awaits whether Mithi will regain access to his device or if it will remain in the state’s custody as part of the ongoing legal process.
