The Malawi Judge Kapindu presiding over Oswald Lutepo in Zomba has ruled that he will proceed to sentence Oswald Lutepo in the K24 billion cashgate scandal even before confiscation of his property to repay for the looting is concluded.
The state wanted the confiscation of Lutepo’s property and cash who stole K4 billion of public funds be done after sentencing, a request that has now been granted by the Judge. However In contrast, the defense team wanted it to be done before in the hope that it might allow the Judge to impose a lighter Jail sentence if most of the loot was recovered.
The defence and state are still haggling over the valuation of property and the Judge has allowed 60 days to come to an agreement.
The Judge has adjourned to Friday for sentencing.
It is anticipated Lutepo will get a lighter sentence as he appears to be cooperating with the state. According to earlier reporting, sources close to the investigations had indicated that prosecuting agencies held discussions with Lutepo prior to his conviction on K4 billion fraud and money laundering charges.
Lutepo’s lawyer Oswald Mtupila confirmed meetings between Lutepo on one hand and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on the other, regarding Lutepo’s previous claims that he had evidence against former president Joyce Banda.
Lawyer Mtupila refused to give details of what was discussed. “We met and discussed some issues. The ACB also took a caution statement from my client, but I am not in a position to divulge the details,” said Mtupila.
