Ntata sues BBC
Former legal adviser to former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika has sued the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for claiming that he was being wanted for treason allegations in Malawi.
Ntata wrote BBC on December 3 last year through his lawyers Spring and Co Solicitors, demanding damages, an injunction restraining BBC from publishing same or similar statement in future, remove the said articles, write a corrective article to limit the damage of malicious publication and costs.
According to the statement of claim, Ntata states that on March 13 2013, BBC published an article titled ‘Peter Mutharika and others on Malawi treason charges’ in which it claimed that Ntata was charged in absentia.
“This statement is untrue as our client was not charged with treason and has not been charged with treason to date. He has never received any formal communication from the government and/or the prosecuting authorities regarding treason or any related charges,” wrote Ntata’s lawyers to BBC.
The letter claims that Ntata visited Malawi for six weeks between July and August last year and he moved freely within Malawi and returned to UK without receiving any question from Malawian authorities.
The BBC article, according to Ntata’s lawyers, therefore, portrayed him as a criminal seeking refuge in the UK.
The lawyers also state that on March 13 last year, BBC published another article titled Malawi: Peter Mutharika and coup plotters get bail.
“You stated that 11 others have been charged with him, including (former) Economic Planning minister Goodall Gondwe and former presidential adviser Allan Ntata, who was charged in absentia as he is believed to be in the UK. Our client repeats that the statement relating to him being a ‘coup plotter’ and ‘being charged in absentia’ is untrue,” the statement reads in part.
They also state that BBC had an interview with Ntata on the same allegations, a fact, he denied.
Oh Ntata trying so hard to gain credibility through the BBC. So many publications wrote that, let’s see him sue all of them. Such an opportunistic stunt….or trying to intimidate the media?!!!
If he is “so free” and mulandu-less bwanji ankayenda chothawa-thawa during the time he visited? Kumayenda cheu cheu munthu kwawo komwe! That’s what I don’t understand about ‘Ntata’s situation. I have nothing personal against him, he’s just a character that behaves strangely for someone who is supposedly free!
This is just fighting a losing battle,sometimes we need to know where to seek fame not just anywhere.He better behave in the Queen’s land otherwise he will be ejected.
This is just fighting a losing battle,sometimes we need to know where to seek fame,not just anywhere.He better behave in the Queen’s land otherwise he will be ejected.
The point in the story is that Ntata was in Malawi for 2 months and was not charged or arrested. Kuyenda Cheu-cheu munakuona ndinuyotu! As for him behaving in the UK, UK is not like Malawi where everything is political. If the guy feels he has been defamed, he has a right to seek redress. It is pathetic that you are bringing Malawian mentality to an issue that is going on in the UK, where they don’t think everything is about politics.
Well said. People think in a rather shallow-minded manner. I believe Allan (Ntata) has all the right to seek legal redress…and I see him succeeding in doing so. Seems most of those who have commented here akuganiza mwachi Malawi..
The way the case is arguable and possibly winnable. Remove malice and hate when commenting issues
That guy got issues!
very good case. He has it to prove in his passport that he visited Malawi…..Ambiri tikusilira tinakakhala ife. Ku UK kuli ma ufulu ambiri kwabasi and Ntata is going to blossom from that surely
Mfwe mfwe chani?? The guy is loaming freely in the UK. We all know the Treason case is just a ploy by desperate PP to bar Mutharika from contesting as he gives em goosebumps.
Leave the boy alone, aMalawi jealous basi
analakwa chani?if so bwanji osakamutengako abisalako,i thnk ntata alibe mulandu apa
I dont even understand why UK is harboring this fugitive…suing BBC is a dumb decision on your part mr smart lawyer. it will open a can of worms u wont be able to handle. By the way, ur arrest warrant is ready…