Chinese Convict Lin Yunhua Pleads Not Guilty to Corruption, Abuse of Office Charges

Chinese national Lin Yunhua, who is serving a prison sentence for wildlife crime and money laundering, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of corruption and abuse of public office before the High Court in Lilongwe.

The case is being heard by High Court Judge Redson Kapindu.

On two counts of corrupt practices with public officers, the state alleges that in 2019, while Lin was on remand at Maula Prison, he corruptly offered K30 million and promised to complete the construction of a house for the then Officer-in-Charge of the prison, Aaron Ganyavu Kaunda.

According to the prosecution, the alleged inducement was meant to influence Kaunda to engage then Chief Resident Magistrate Violet Chipao to secure Lin a lighter sentence in a wildlife and money laundering case that was before her.

Lin is also facing five counts of abuse of public office, in which it is alleged that between 2022 and 2023, while serving a 14-year prison sentence, he persuaded prison officials at Maula Prison to allow him to leave custody on several occasions.

The court heard that Lin allegedly visited various locations including his residence in Area 9, Biwi, Kanengo, and Bunda, all within Lilongwe, without lawful authority.

Judge Kapindu has since adjourned the matter to tomorrow, when he is expected to deliver a ruling on the direction the case will take.