The Senior Resident Magistrate court in Lilongwe has given a final warning to Zambian national Kerby Malambo regarding his continued delays in proceeding with his defense in a wildlife crime that he is answering.
Malambo was found with a case to answer in September last year on offenses relating to possession, importing and dealing in specimen of listed species.
He was arrested in February last year at Mwami filling station in the boarder district of Mchinji where police intercepted him while allegedly transporting 22 pieces of raw African elephant ivory worth over 53 million kwacha.
When the matter was in court on Wednesday, Malambo was supposed to start parading his witnesses now that the state has already completed parading its five witnesses against him.
This was after another previous court appearance where he similarly failed to commence his defense.
The development according to the accused was firstly due to a change of legal representatives in the matter and this time around, even when he has a legal counsel, Malambo failed to proceed because his lawyer currently does not have an up-to-date license to practice.
Noting the development, Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda, warned Malambo that the continued delays are uncalled for.
Nyirenda has since ordered that at the next appointed date for commencement of the matter, the court will proceed with or without Malambo making his defense.
The matter has since been adjourned to 8 March 2022 for commencement of trial.
Source; Capital FM
