Callista demands MK500 million from Jeffrey wa Jeffrey, MBC

Former First Lady Callista Mutharika has sued governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secretary general Greselder Jeffrey and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) demanding K500 million for defamation.

In separate interviews registrar of the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal Agnes Patemba and Callista Mutharika’s lawyer Ambokire Salimu confirmed the development.

“We have received summons where the former First Lady has sued Greselder Jeffrey and MBC for defamation. She is praying for K500 million as damages,” said Patemba.

Salimu said he was entrusted by Mutharika to proceed with the lawsuit after Jeffrey made an allegation that Callista killed her husband, late Bingu wa Mutharika.

The accusation was made during a DPP political rally in Thyolo last Saturday.

He said: “We have filed the summons claiming K500 million. Those are exemplary aggravated damages reflecting the seriousness of the slander or defamation.”

According to court documents, Mutharika argues that as a result of the defamation her character has been vilified and has suffered and continues to suffer contempt and “odium as the alleged killer of her husband”.