Businessperson and PP official Oswald Lutepo, who surrendered to police on Wednesday, on Thursday pleaded not guilty to charges of committing offences of money laundering at the First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Zomba.

Lutepo’s case has since been committed to the High Court in Zomba where his lawyer, Jai Banda, has already filed an application for bail.

Banda said the bail hearing is scheduled for today [Friday].

Lutepo is held at Zomba Police Station cell.

“He pleaded not guilty when he appeared before His Worship [Robert] Makaika. I have filed bail application,” said Banda soon after Lutepo was committed to the High Court.

If the State successfully secures Lutepo’s conviction, the businessperson who owns a range of enterprises, may be imprisoned for 10 years and fine of K2 million (about $5 000).

And if the prosecution links his case to the businesses, Lutepo may be fined K10 million (about $25 000) and may lose business authority.

Lutepo, 35, was questioned for several hours at Area 30, National Police Headquarters in Lilongwe on Wednesday after his arrival from undisclosed location.

He has been on the police wanted list in the wake of the Capital Hill cash-gate, which was widely exposed following the shooting of Paul Mphwiyo, the Ministry of Finance former Budget Director, on September 13 2013.

Two weeks ago, our sister paper, Weekend Nation reported seeing and verifying a list of 20 bank accounts and their names that the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) is probing as part of the cash-gate crackdown.

Of the 20 frozen bank accounts, eight either wholly belong to Lutepo as an individual or he jointly owns them with partners.

The remaining 12 firms belong to various enterprises, according to letters ACB director Rezine Mzikamanda has sent to various banks.

Malawi Police Service (MPS) had recently issued an alert of a warrant of arrest of Lutepo and another person, Pika Manondo.