Former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) Chief Executive Officer Collins Magalasi alongside three others have pleaded not guilty to counts bordering on fraud and money laundering involving K186 million.

The development follows State’s decision to amend the charge sheet from the initial K107 million to the said K186 million focusing on 16 counts.

In an interview, Director of Public Prosecutions Steven Kayuni said the defence will proceed cross examining last state witness; police investigator Ephraim Phiri based on the amended charge sheet.

“We will proceed with the hearing of the last witness who will be cross examined by the defense then re-examination then that  be the end of the matter.

On part of the State we don’t intend to call any other further witnesses, the witness that is on stand is the last witness,” assured Kayuni.

Hearing of the trial has been adjourned to May 19, 2022.

Commenting on the amended charge sheet, one of the defense lawyers Enock Chibwana has described the amendment as insubstantial.

He said: “What it means is that the prosecution will still have to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, they have last witness to go.

The changes are not substantial, if you look at the charges are quite similar, so there is no any problem.”

The former Mera boss is answering the charges alongside Bright Mbewe, Patrick Maulidi and Dorothy Shonga Nkhoma.