Police in Lilongwe have arrested four more accountants in relation to plunder of public funds at the Accountant General’s Department.

The arrest of the four; Angelina Mbale, Angela Chiphiko, Hastings Genela and Anderson Mwakiyela follows arrest of another five suspects last week in connection to misappropriation of public funds amounting to K159, 568, 000.

The four appeared before Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwaza on Friday afternoon in Lilongwe to be formally charged on their counts.

State Prosecutor Isaac Kadawayula told the court that the four have been added to five suspects who were also arrested last week on the same offenses of public officer receiving property to show favour, official corruption and money laundering.

Kadawayula added that the plundered figure has been revised upwards from the initial K159, 568, 000 to K283, 861, 000.

He further asked the court not to release the suspects on bail saying that police are yet to wind up their investigations on the matter.

He said: “The matter is still under investigation and with seriousness of the offense is attracting public interest and as State we have already shown eagerness to speed up this matter.

And our fears that the suspects therein are aware of the probable witnesses that the State would like to call to court.”

But lawyers representing the accused Ronald Phombeya and Wilson Singini objected the plea arguing that the State failed to convince the Court how, when released on bail, the accused persons would either compromise the said investigations or interfere with State witnesses.

“The State haven’t shown that the accused persons have interest in the investigation and they are going to interfere with the said investigation if granted bail,” Singini said.

Magistrate Chimwaza has since adjourned hearing of the trial to Monday next where she is expected to deliver her ruling on bail application.