The Chief Resident Magistrate’s court in Lilongwe has found a Chinese national, Bin Liu, with a case to answer on wildlife-related offences.

The Chinese national is answering charges bordering on possession of specimen of listed species, possession of specimen of endangered species and acquiring a firearm from another person without permit in writing.

Delivering his ruling, High Court Judge Patrick Chirwa who started hearing the matter as Chief Resident Magistrate said the Chinese national has a case to answer on a possession of specimen of listed species namely 13 pieces of raw ivory and 5 pieces of processed ivory without permits from responsible authorities.

The court has also found Liu with a case to a answer on a charge of possession of endangered species, this to say one skull of a bushbuck and one skull of impala without permit.

In addition, on a charge of acquiring a firearm from another person without a permit in writing, the court ruled that the Chinese national has a case to answer too.

Following the determination, Liu is expected to enter into defence and his lawyers have requested 45 days to prepare a number of disclosures before commencement of their trial.

According to police investigation, the accused was found in possession of listed species which are 13 processed ivory pieces and 5 pieces of raw ivory weighing 10.250 kilograms valued at K9.2 million without a license.

Meanwhile, the court says will communicate on date for the commencement of the defense case.

Liu, who is currently on court bail, was arrested by police in August, 2021.