by
Kondwani Munthali
The High Court in Lilongwe will from this June 18 start full trial of the first phase of the K 187 million Ministry of Education contracts scam case involving as many as 16 suspects arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The landmark case, which has dragged for almost two years, is expected to be tried by four judges to facilitate speedy trial.

Deputy ACB Director Alexius Nampota said in an interview after a brief appearance at the High Court in Lilongwe yesterday that the first trial involving five suspects is expected to be through within two weeks.

"It will start from 18 to 21 June and continue from 2nd to 15th July. We expect the case to last for two weeks. Please were already taken and we will go straight into trial," said Nampota.

The first five suspects are contractors Esther Kathumba and her husband, accused of getting KI6 million corruptly from the ministry, former secretary for Education Sam Safuli and two former civil servants Richard Thombozi and Elson Jiya.

Four lawyers: Titus Mvalo, Cephat Kalasa, Ishmael Wadi and Rodrick Makono are expected to form the defence team, while a prosecutor from the Director of Public Prosecutions chambers will team up with Nampota.

THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU P.O. BOX 2437 LILONGWE

OR

THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU PRIVATE BAG 170, BLANTYRE, Tel: 620 416

Severe penalties exist, including a prison sentence of up to twelve (12) years, for an offence of corruption.

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