Mzuzu cop jailed three years for abuse of power
Mzuzu Magistrate’s Court has sentenced former Mzuzu Police Mobile Service D Company officer-in-charge, Leonard Ntokoma, to three years imprisonment for illegally transporting immigrants using a police vehicle.
His two accomplices, Tionge Nyirenda and Ernest Issa, have been given a 12 months jail term each .
Ntokoma was convicted of two crimes; aiding illegal entry and abuse of office, while Nyirenda and Issa were convicted for aiding illegal entry.
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State prosecutor Jacob Nambiri said a custodial sentence was all that the State wanted, arguing that fines and suspended sentences would not reform the convicts.
He said the crime committed was grave as the three used public resources and also put lives of Malawians at risk by bringing in illegal immigrants who, up to date, cannot be traced.
Principal resident magistrate Gladys Gondwe agreed with the State and handed the custodial sentences.
“This is a very serious case. Police resources were used to commit crime and the three planned to commit the crime. Organised crimes are most dangerous to society,” said Gondwe.
However, lawyer for the three, George Kadzipatike, said he will appeal against the ruling and conviction.
Ntokoma and the other convicts aided the entry of 24 Ethiopians using a police vehicle from Karonga to Raiply in Mzimba. n
