Businessman Zameer Kareem, who is answering money laundering case has asked Chief Resident Magistrate Patrick Chirwa of Lilongwe registry to restart his case following a decision by the State to introduce a new charge.

Kareem’s lawyer told Magistrate Chirwa to restart the trial so that they should cross examine witnesses in line with the new charge sheet.

Meanwhile, lawyer for second accused Victoria Chanza – Tamando Chokotho has made another application to proceed filing submission of no case to answer considering that the amended charge sheet does not affect Chanza`s case.

“You may understand the fact that the fourth count money laundering has only been introduced after all witnesses have testified so the State does not have any other evidence to tender against the second accused.

“So what we are asking is that the second accused must be allowed to make a submission of no case to answer so that the court make its ruling and then sh can go on with her life,” said Chokotho.

According to Chokotho, Chanza is spending resources and being part of court proceedings that do not concern her.

He said: “She is a banker and for her to be facing allegations of fraud is not very comfortable situation for her but apart from that what we want to pointing out to the court is that she having to travel from Blantyre, spending money on accommodation, listening to listen to court proceedings where she actually should not be.”

But Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr Steven Kayuni has asked the court to dismiss the applications describing them as premature.

“In both applications we have argued our matter in court that both applications should dismissed and we wait for the court`s decision,” said the DPP.

Kareem and Chanza are being accused of defrauding ECOBANK a sum of K150 million.

Magistrate Chirwa has since reserved his ruling on a date to be communicated.