Bus depots case concludes

The High Court of Malawi Financial and Economic Crimes Division yesterday concluded hearing of the bus depots repossession case and set May 9 2024 for parties to make oral submissions.

Presiding Judge Violet Chipao yesterday gave directions on the proceedings and 30 days to the State to make written submissions. Thereafter, she said, the defence would also present its submissions after 60 days.

When the court reconvened yesterday, two defence witnesses, Abdul Imman Ibrahim and Noel Masangwi were scheduled to give testimonies, but defence lawyer Gilbert Khonyongwa informed the court that the arrangement had been withdrawn.

He said the witnesses expressed doubts in terms of recalling chronological order of events as the case has taken almost a decade.

In an interview after the conclusion of the case, Khonyongwa said the defence is satisfied with the hearing of the case.

He said: “I believe we succeeded in presenting our case by demonstrating that our client, Leston Mulli, was given an express authority to be using the premises and not that he did it on his own.”

Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda was not in court yesterday, but in his earlier submission he indicated that procedures were flouted in the manner the assets were disposed of.

The AG’s office took to court National Bus Services Limited, owned by Mulli, for alleged illegal acquisition of bus depots and workshops which formerly belonged to State-owned Shire Bus Lines before its liquidation in 2007.

The government repossessed the depots and workshops.In two separate judgements, the court ordered that the facilities be repossessed.