Businessperson Oswald Lutepo will have to pay K50 million (US$125 000) in cash for him to be released on bail.
Lutepo is alleged to be involved in the Capital Hill Cashgate scam. The K50 million bail bond is just one of the conditions for his bail in the K2.6billion (US$6.5 million) case.
Making the ruling today at the Zomba High Court, Justice Godfrey Mwase also ordered that Lutepo’s two sureties should each pay K2.5m (US$6 250) cash.
Mwase has also ordered Lutepo to disclose his property in full within 14 days and that he should not sell or dispose of any property without the knowledge of the court.
Lutepo will also have to surrender his travel documents, report to police on Monday and Friday before 3pm every week, not disturb peace or investigations, not leave the country without permission through inter-parties hearing and not leave Blantyre without police knowledge.
Mwase warned defense lawyers in the court to bring applicants to court as some suspects do not take bail conditions seriously.
“In future I will not make pronouncements without the applicant’s presence, they have to hear these conditions themselves,” said Mwase in direct reference to Lutepo’s absence at the court today.
After hearing the bail conditions, lawyer Jai Banda, could only shake his head in disbelief and described the bail conditions as tough.
Banda was tight lipped on whether Lutepo will be out of remand today.
“It’s tough but I have to consult my client on the way forward. As we have to source K50 million for him and K5 million (US$12 500) for the two sureties.
“He will be released when we have met the bail conditions set by the court,” said Banda.
There was total silence in the courtroom after Justice Mwase’s ruling.
Earlier, the prosecution demanded K500 million (US$1.3 million) as bail bond for Lutepo and K5 million each for sureties. But Banda argued that these conditions would be excessive and punishing his client who is innocent until proven guilty.
