DPP Moves to Overturn Chimwendo Banda’s Release Order
Published on January 16, 2026 at 10:23 AM by Evance Kapito
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has announced a bold move to challenge the High Court’s decision that set Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General, Richard Chimwendo Banda, free.
In a statement shared on Ministry of Justice’s Facebook page, the DPP is heading back to court to appeal the ruling delivered by Justice Kenyatta Nyirenda on Wednesday. The State is reportedly dissatisfied with the “unconditional” nature of the release, which saw the MCP strongman walk out of Maula Prison after a month in custody.
The legal drama follows a successful application by Chimwendo’s lawyer, George Jivason Kadzipatike, who argued that his client was being held illegally past the 30-day remand limit. While Justice Nyirenda agreed and ordered Chimwendo’s immediate release, the DPP is now moving to stay that order.
As it stands, Chimwendo Banda remains free, but the DPP’s appeal adds a fresh layer of tension ahead of the scheduled inter-party hearing on January 23, 2026. The State is expected to argue that the gravity of the attempted murder charges outweighs the procedural delays cited by the defense.
