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Former presidential aide Chris Chaima Banda has applied to the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe to discharge the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) fuel supply contracts case because the state has violated his constitutional right by failing to prosecute the case within a reasonable time.
Chaima Banda’s lawyer Wapona Kita has confirmed of the development to press saying this is due to state witness Hellen buluma’s unwillingness to appear in court for cross-examination on the evidence she gave.
According to summons of discharge which we have seen, the court has set October 11, 2022 to hear the matter.
Chaima Banda allegedly claimed in an audio conversation with Buluma, whose recording was played in court, that President Lazarus Chakwera had vested interest in the fuel deals because he wanted to ensure that Malawians benefitted from the contracts through corporate social responsibility.
In the case, former Minister of Energy Newton Kambala, Chaima Banda and Aford president Enock Chihana are accused of trying to influence a public officer in the procurement of fuel contrary to provisions of the Corrupt Practices Act.
Source:NPL
