Bakili Muluzi’s K1.7 billion case on

The Supreme Court of Appeal has this morning dismissed former President Bakili Muluzi “s application in the K1.7 Billion case, challenging Section 32 C of the Corrupt Practices Act. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is of the view that Muluzi “s property valued at K1.7 billion did not tally with his known source of income. ACB Director Martha Chizuma says the…

The Supreme Court of Appeal has this morning dismissed former President Bakili Muluzi’s application in the K1.7 Billion case, challenging Section 32 (2) C of the Corrupt Practices Act.

Muluzi was challenging the law saying by placing the duty of unexplained wealth on the accused person, it violates the accused person’s right to be presumed innocent and right to remain silent among others.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau is of the view that Muluzi’s property valued at K1.7 billion did not tally with his known source of income.

ACB Director Martha Chizuma says the restrategising on how to proceed with former President Bakili Muluzi’s K1.7 billion corruption case.

“This is the ruling which for the past two years had been holding hearing of the case. This means that work is cut out for us. We have to go back and restrategise on how to proceed with the case,” she said.

Muluzi’s lawyer Jai Banda asked for more time to study the judgment but indicted that the defence team would be preparing for trial.

According to Section 32(2)(c) of the Corrupt Practices Act, if one is found in possession of unexplained property, being property that exceeds one’s known sources of income and the person does not provide an account for it, it is presumed that the property or income was obtained corruptly.