Magistrate Patrick Chirwa To Remain On Bushiri Case

Chief Resident Magistrate Patrick Chirwa has refused to recuse himself in the extradition case against Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary.

Chirwa told the court that the grounds for recusal used by lawyer for Bushiri failed to prove that he would be biased in deciding the case.

On the accusations that he granted a warrant of arrests against the Bushiri’s,  Chirwa said he granted the order as he was the only magistrate available at the time of the application.

He has also defended his decision to take over the mater saying Magistrate Viva Nyimba who was previously hearing the case was ill and it would take a long time for him to recover.

Meanwhile, Dr Steve Kayuni, Director of Public Prosecution, has said he is happy with ruling.

However, Wapona Kita, lawyer for the Bushiri’s says he is not satisfied.

Meanwhile, the state has said it will give its ruling next Monday on another application by Kita for the court to determine if the extradition case will be heard as civil matter or criminal case.