Former Deputy Inspector General of Police (operations) Ackis Muwanga and crime Superintendent Laudon Nthinda were yesterday charged with three offences relating to K1.3 billion linked to three Malawians of Asian origin.
The duo appeared before senior resident magistrate Assunta Maxwell in Blantyre where they were charged with attempted extortion by threat, abuse of public office and money laundering.
The State accuses the two of committing the first offence on June 15 this year while the second and third offences were allegedly carried out on June 20. However, Muwanga and Nthinda pleaded not guilty to the charges.
State lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda then proceeded to tell the court that the suspects were arrested following a complaint on November 7 and investigations are ongoing, as such, they should be detained for 14 days pending investigations.
He said: “Investigations have been ongoing and are not concluded. Considering the standing and influence of the accused persons, not only in the police, but the society, it is likely the accused may tamper with investigations in the matter.”
But defence lawyers argued that bail is a constitutional right and the State did not demonstrate how the accused can interfere with investigations.
The defence further argued that the accused have permanent residences and relations who can act as sureties.
“They are not a flight risk,” said one of the defence lawyers, Kingsley Mapemba, who is representing Nthinda, the first defendant in the case.
He said Nthinda was arrested on Thursday last week, which means he spent more than the allowed 48 hours before being taken to court.
But the State clarified that last week Nthinda was arrested for another case.
Muwanga, who was arrested on November 9 this year, is being represented by Francisco Chikavumbwa and Mukeya Chirwa.
The court has since reserved the bail application ruling to November 18 2025.
Documents The Nation has seen show that the three complainants Yasir Haji Yousuf are Muhammad Imran Moosa and Imran Muhammad Rashid.
