Police have arrested Leader of Opposition in Parliament Simplex Chithyola Banda for alleged abuse of office and money laundering linked to the controversial Eastbridge fertiliser barter deal.
Malawi Police Service Fiscal and Fraud Section obtained a warrant of arrest from Mkukula Magistrate’s Court in Lumbadzi, Dowa. The former minister of Finance handed himself over to police yesterday upon learning about his impending arrest.
Chithyola Banda was later taken to Lumbadzi Police Station where he spent last night in custody.
In an interview yesterday, his lawyer George Kadzipatike confirmed the arrest, but said his client denies the charges.
“He has been arrested on allegations of abuse of office and money laundering in connection with the fertiliser deal between Eastbridge and the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi. He completely denies the charges,” he said.
National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo said he was awaiting details on the arrest.
“Once I get the details, I will share with you,” he said.
Chithyola Banda’s arrest comes after three other former senior government officials in president Lazarus Chakwera administration, booted out in the September 16 2025 General Election, are also facing charges in the Eastbridge scandal.
In February this year, police arrested former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, former minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe and former minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale in connection with the same deal.
The trio is accused of conspiring to defraud government by facilitating the award of a contract to Eastbridge Estate SRL for the supply of 600 000 metric tonnes of fertiliser in exchange for agricultural commodities, despite the fertiliser not being delivered and procurement procedures allegedly being flouted.
They also face separate counts of misuse of office, with authorities alleging the deal resulted in a K6.2 billion loss to government.
