The Senior Resident Magistrate’s court in Lilongwe has reserved its ruling on bail application by Chinese national Lu Ke popularly known as Susu.

Ke, who was arrested in July this year on suspicion of exploiting children in Lilongwe, is yet to take plea and has been on remand at Maula Prison as the State was still investigating the matter.

However, when he appeared before court yesterday Friday, the suspect through his lawyer Andy Kaonga applied for bail citing that the State is delaying prosecution.

He said: “You saw today that the State isn’t ready, they don’t even have the disclosures, they had him from July up to now.

“Now the question is why did they arrest him? Keeping him in detention and still not know what charges to charge him and evidence they have against him.”

But the State objected the bail application arguing that the suspect is a flight-risk and that the Chinese national needs to be protected from the public by being in police custody.

“Mr Susu already demonstrated that he is flight-risk, if you will recall he fled to Zambia, he had to be deported and then arrested in Malawi.

“So, somebody who has already fled the jurisdiction even the commencement of his trial will likely do the same if released on bail,” said Mathews Gamadzi, principal state advocate.

Another reason that triggered the State to object the bail application was that the accused is familiar with State’s witnesses, and they said there is likelihood of him trying to tamper with witnesses and evidence brought before court.

Meanwhile, Magistrate James Mankhwazi has ordered the State to furnish the defense with disclosures in accordance with amended charge sheet in seven days’ time.

Hearing of the case will resume on 16 September 2022 where the court is expected to give its ruling on bail application.