High Court Judge William Msiska has adjourned to March 2 this year a case in which Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda wants forfeiture of about K186 million from murder convict Pika Manondo. 

Manondo was convicted in the attempted murder case of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo.

The AG wants the funds suspected to be proceeds of the infamous cash gate go into government account number 1.

But during Tuesday’s court proceedings, the defendant said he is yet to be served with some documents and that he needed time to go through the documents.

Reacting to the development, Chakaka Nyirenda expressed satisfaction with the court’s direction on the adjournment saying the defendant needs to be given chance to go through the said documents.

“I think it’s a good ruling because we know that under the law, a forfeiture law cannot be done without according the defendant an opportunity to oppose that forfeiture order so we are satisfied,” Nyirenda said.

“What we anticipate is a speedy conclusion of this matter because there won’t be any further adjournment I believe on March 2, 2022.”

However, the court rejected the defendant’s application for disclosure of many documents that he requested.

Police found the money in 2013, just three days after Mphwiyo was shot on his way to his home in Lilongwe.

Currently, the money is being kept in a safe deposit box at First Capital Bank.