The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Minister of Energy Newton Kambala, Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) president Enock Chihana and presidential aide Chris Chaima Banda in relation to fuel importation deal involving National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).

According to a statement released by the Bureau Monday, ACB received a complaint alleging corruption in the way NOCMA conducted the process to award contracts to fuel supply.

Reads part of the statement: “The Bureau reviewed another complaint alleging interference and meddling into NOCMA`s contracts to supply fuel for the year 2020/2021.

“ACB instituted investigations and restricted the contract. On 6th August, 2021, the Bureau lifted the restriction as the investigation in the first complaint did not establish any offense.”

Earlier on Monday, addressing a news conference in Lilongwe, ACB Director General Martha Chizuma said processes are underway for the Bureau to proceed with prosecution of alleged suspects in the deal.

According to the ACB, the second complaint was that Chihana and Banda aided and abetted Kambala when he attempted to influence the award of the contract to supply 40000 metric tons of fuel to a company known as Finergy.

The three are currently in police custody at Area 3 police station in Lilongwe where they spent a night and are expected to appear before court.