Court adjourns Muluzi’s MK1.7 billion corruption case to May 3

The High Court in Blantyre has adjourned the K1.7 billion corruption case involving former president Bakili Muluzi to May 3 2016, following an application by the State that it wants a split trial.

The State has applied that the two accused persons, Muluzi and Violet Whiskey, be prosecuted separately.

However, the defence said it was taken unawares by application.

The two sides will thus meet in the Chambers on April 29 2016 where formal application will be made.

Out of the 15 counts, only 13 to 15 are relating to the 2nd accused, Whiskey.

Whiskey is answering three counts, including two pertaining to theft by a person employed in the public service.

The third charge is giving a false report or information to the ACB.

Since trial began last week Thursday, over K100 million (about $145 483) has been deducted from the K1.7 billion.

This happened after Banda agreed that the money should not be part of the said cumulative figure as there was no indication it was acquired corruptly.

The K100 million deductions, among others, include money from Muluzi’s Ntaja Trading and Distributors and loans from Loita Investment Bank as well as Stanbic Bank (now Standard Bank) which he got for the construction of Keza Office Park.