The High Court in Lilongwe has thrown out an application by Paul Mphwiyo and 18 others for the court to discontinue their K2.4 billion case.
Mphwiyo and 19 others wanted the case to be discontinued because the presiding judge, Esme Chombo, was due for retirement and should no longer sit on the matter.
But in her ruling on Thursday morning, Chombo dismissed the application, saying she has the necessary documents to continue handling the case and that her mandate was properly extended.
The other accused persons in the case of embezzling the K2.4 billion, conspiracy to defraud government, holding property of government, theft and money laundering are David Bill Kandoje, Auzius Kazombo Mwale, Clemence Madzi, Roosevelt Ndovi, George N. Banda, Steve Likhuya Phiri, Michael Mphatso, Samuel Mzanda, Stanford Mpoola, Syphathy Chisale, Fatch Chiungano, Andrews Chilalika, Cecilia Ng’ambi and Ndaona Satema.
Mphwiyo, former Finance Director in the Ministry of Finance, was shot at the gate of his Area 43 residence in Lilongwe on September 13th, 2013 during the administration of Joyce Banda.
Former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs under the Joyce Banda administration, Ralph Kasambara, businessperson Pika Manondo, Dauka Manondo, Robert Kadzuwa and McDonald Kumwembe were convicted and jailed on Mphwiyo’s attempted murder.
Kasambara was, however, released on bail from prison after he applied and fought for it pending appeal in the Supreme Court of his conviction and sentence.
