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The High Court in Zomba has fined Cashgate convict Osward Lutepo, former People’s Party (PP) member for demanding MK55 million bail bond money.
Justice Redson Kapindu made the ruling on Thursday in Zomba, describing the demand as ill-conceived.
According to court file seen by this publication, Lutepo through his lawyer demanded K50 million bail money he paid back in November 2013, when he was arrested, plus K5 million surety money.
His lawyer argued that his client did not jump bail hence demanding the cash back.
But Kapindu throughout the application and slapped Lutepo MK1 million fine.
“Costs to the public, payable to the Malawi Government through the Court, in the sum of MK1 million Kwacha for a waste of judicial time and a waste of the resources of the State are hereby imposed on the Convict.
“I must finally conclude by strongly advising Counsel to always carefully advise their clients on the merits of bringing certain claims before the Courts. The Court might, in future, contemplate invoking its inherent powers to impose personal costs on Counsel who facilitate the bringing of clearly frivolous and vexatious applications that only seek to abuse the law and the judicial process,” said Kapindu in his ruling.
Lutepo is serving 11 years jail sentence on money laundering and conspiracy to defraud government money amounting to Mk4.2 billion.