The country’s graft-bursting body – Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has disclosed that it would consolidate Malawi Prison Services (MPS) contract case involving former Homeland Security Minister Nicholas Dausi.
The disclosure follows the granting of bail by the Senior Resident Magistrate’s court in Lilongwe to former Principal Secretary and Kennedy Nkhoma and Chief Director in the Ministry of Homeland Security, respectively who were arrested by ACB on Monday.
ACB arrested the two on suspicion that they abused their office and neglected their 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 MPS.
The arrest of the two follows an allegation which the graft-bursting body recorded in 2020 that the Homeland Security Ministry suspiciously procured uniforms and equipment from One Guard FZE of United Arab Emirates without following procedures.
Appearing before Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda, ACB Principal Legal and Prosecutions Officer Benjamin Mandala told the court the Bureau is yet to get consent from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mandala added that the two would be formally charged once ACB gets the consent.
He further disclosed that the matter would be consolidated with that of Dausi who was also arrested last week on the same matter.
“Kennedy Nkhoma, Samuel Madula and Nicholas Dausi while serving as public officers being Principal Secretary, Chief Director and Minister of Homeland Security respectively, between 2019 and 2020, in the Republic of Malawi conspired to defraud Government of Malawi.
By paying a sum of K12, 075, 391, 516.00 as consideration to One Guard FZE for uniforms and equipment to MPS procurement contract, supplies which had an actual market value of K6, 431, 311, 386.00 leading to a loss by the Malawi Government,” reads the conspiracy to defraud Government of Malawi count which is contrary to Section 323 of the Penal Code.
In his bail ruling, Magistrate Nyirenda ordered the two 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 leaving the country without informing the Bureau.
The court has since set 22 August 2022 as a date it will continue hearing the matter where the accused persons are expected be formally charged and take plea.
