Whiskey Collapses in Court as Muluzi case Adjourns

By: Chikondi Magalasi

Lyness Whiskey, the second accused person in the ongoing former head of State Bakili Muluzi case of misappropriating K1.7 billion collapsed in Court today and has been referred to  the hospital for medical attention.

Muluzi Leaving the Court Last Thursday
Muluzi Leaving the Court Last Thursday

The case resumed this morning at the High Court in Blantyre where the first prosecution witness, Victor Banda, was continuing presenting his evidence.cross-examined, the second defendant started screaming and then fell down from her seat that prompted security guards to rush her outside the Courtroom.  The incident occurred barely twenty minutes after the hearing started.

It was during Victor Banda’s cross-examination that the second defendant started screaming and then fell down from her seat which prompted security guards to rush her outside the Courtroom.  Later, members of her family and some concerned persons rushed her to the hospital.

Few minutes later, the Court resumed as the State through its Prosecutor Reyneck Matemba, told the Presiding Judge Mclean Kumwembe, that the second accused had been rushed to Malamulo Seventh Day Adventist Hospital.

“We had discussions between ourselves, defence and the State, the Counsel has said they will get a report from the hospital by the end of business day today thus around 5pm,” said Matemba.

He further asked the Judge to adjourn the case to Tuesday morning as they will be waiting to hear from the hospital.

“My Lord, we are asking that the matter be adjourned to tomorrow at 9 am in order for us to get the feedback from the medical personnel,” asked Matemba.

He further asked Kumwembe if the first accused in this case who is former President of this Country Bakili Muluzu should attend the proceedings when the Court resumes on Tuesday.

In his ruling, Judge Kumwembe said depending on the sickness of the second accused in the matter, it’s not only for the Court to come up with the decision but the State is also supposed to suggest whether to continue with the first accused. But he then adjourned it to 9 am on Tuesday.

“Let us adjourn the case to tomorrow at 9 am as we are praying for the second accused to recover quickly,” said the Judge.

Muluzi’s case started about ten years ago but resumed last Thursday. He is accused of misappropriating public funds  alongside his then Personal Assistant, Whiskey when he was running the Country.

Currently, the State has produced one witness in the matter namely Victor Banda, who served as the Anti-Corruption Bureau assistant director during Muluzi’s term in the office.

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