Businessperson Oswald Lutepo, accused of K2.6 billion theft and money laundering, was released from prison on bail after paying K50 million bail bond and K5 million for his two sureties.
Prison spokesperson Evance Phiri confirmed Lutepo’s release in an interview.
“He is out on bail. He was released on Monday morning after getting instructions from the High Court in Zomba,” said Phiri.
Judiciary spokesperson Joseph Chigona and Zomba court clerk a Mr. Nthondo said in separate interviews that Lutepo paid the money before he was granted bail.
Nthondo said Lutepo paid K55 million in full.
His lawyer, Jai Banda, had earlier complained that his client would not afford the bail bond, indicating that he would appeal the bail conditions if his family would not manage to raise the bail bond.
As bail conditions, the High Court in Zomba, on Friday, December 6 2013, ordered Lutepo to deposit with the court K50 million cash as bail bond and K5 million cash for his two sureties.
Justice Godfrey Mwase also ordered Lutepo to disclose his property in full within 24 days, surrender travel documents, report to police twice a week and that he should not disturb peace or investigations.
