The High Court in Lilongwe on Tuesday adjourned to next week a case involving 13 police officers accused of murdering Buleya Lule, prime suspect in the abduction and murder of a boy with albinism.

The accused persons, who are currently on interdiction, were supposed to appear before High Court Judge Dorothy DeGrabrielle for plea taking.

However, the Court failed to commence the proceedings because the 9th accused Wallen Chavinda did not show up as he reportedly experienced breakdown on his way from Karonga to Lilongwe.

“Today the case was scheduled for plea and directions, they were supposed to take plea that is indicating whether they are denying or accepting the charge of murder levelled against them.

“So, one of the accused persons did not show up, I think he is travelling from Kalonga, so he had a breakdown so only him did not show up, and the Court was the of the view that the matter be adjourned,” said Gift Katundu, one of the lawyers representing the accused.

Lule, 44, died on February 21, 2019 in police custody, a day after appearing before the Lilongwe Magistrate Court which resulted into an independent autopsy by the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM).  21

He was a suspect in the abduction and killing of a 14-year-old boy with albinism in Dedza District.

The arresting of the law enforcers followed a directive from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which directed that all police officers implicated in the death of Lule be prosecuted.

Judge DeGrabrielle is expected to resume hearing the matter on 20th April 2021.