Ex-diplomat John Chikago speaks out on JB’s warrant of arrest: ‘Cashgate is an ACB issue not police’

Former Ambassador to Japan Dr. John James Chikago has described the warrant of arrest obtained by the Malawi Police Service (MPS) against former President Dr. Joyce Banda as political persecution by the current administration under President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

On Monday, National Police Spokesperson James Kadadzera told the press that police have proved beyond reasonable doubt that Banda had a hand in the cashgate scandal hence the warrant of arrest.

“The Malawi Police Service wishes to inform Malawians that its Fiscal and Fraud Section conducted some investigations on the suspected involvement of the former president in ‘Cashgate’ cases and unearthed credible evidence.

“The veidence gathered raises reasonable suspicion that the former president committed offences relating to abuse of office and money laundering,” reads a statement by Police.

Writing on his official facebook page, Chikago who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) member said cashgate case have always been handled by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and not the police as it is the case with former President.

“It appears the practice of persecuting former Heads of States by successors is becoming a political culture in Malawi. Why is this happening? To divert citizen’s attention from problems the state is failing to solve for them.

“Therefore, let us not be deceived by the warrant of arrest issued to Interpol. Cashgate has been an ACB issue not the Malawi Police. The DPP is under intense political pressure from the new MCP. That is the reason,” wrote Chikago.

Meanwhile debate continues on the matter.