The Chief Resident Magistrate’s court in Lilongwe has granted bail to former minister of homeland security Nicholas Dausi who was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) earlier on Friday.
According to ACB, Dausi is suspected to have abused his official duties and neglected his official duties by arbitrarily approving an exorbitant and unbudgeted for procurement contract between Government and One Guard FZE for the supply of Uniforms and Equipment for Malawi Prison Services (MPS).
This follows an allegation which the ACB recorded in 2020 that the Homeland Security Ministry suspiciously procured MPS uniforms and equipment from One Guard FZE of United Arab Emirates without following procedures.
Delivering her bail ruling, Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza ordered Dausi to pay a K1 million cash bond, produce two traceable and reliable sureties bonded at K10 million each, reporting to ACB offices once fortnightly, surrender travelling documents to court and not interfering with State’s investigation.
Meanwhile, ACB Director General Martha Chizuma has told Yoneco Online that more arrests will be made as the matter proceeds.
“After we summon him, we cautioned him then we charged him so we finished that process in good time such that there was no need for him to spend a night at the cell.
We are very much ready yes, as the matter proceeds, definitely yes, there will be more arrests as days go by but I can’t say when exactly,” Chizuma said.
The abuse of office count is contrary to Section 25B (1) as read with Section 34 of the Corrupt Practices Act and neglect of official duties count is contrary to Section 121 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, lawyer representing Dausi – Yusuf Nthenda said the defense will be waiting for disclosures from the ACB.
He said: “I am happy that he is out of bail, that excites me a lot. Those are just counts, he is going to plea to them and at a letter stage, the State is going to parade its witnesses.”
The court has set 22 August 2022 as date it will continue hearing the matter.
