Senior Resident Magistrate Elijah Blackboard Dazilikwiza Pachalo Daniels on Tuesday found Senior Chief Malemia of Zomba—whose real name is Clement Lyod—with a case to answer on allegations that he had sexual relations with a minor, resulting in pregnancy, and also assisted in procuring an abortion.

This follows the conclusion of the State’s case, during which prosecutors presented all nine witnesses.

On Tuesday, the State brought two medical doctors to testify—one from St. Luke’s Hospital and another from Zomba Central Hospital.

However, both doctors indicated that they had only been sent to present evidence on behalf of the doctors who originally examined the girl, a move the defence team argued made them insufficient witnesses.

Despite this, the court ruled that there is enough evidence for Chief Malemia to answer two charges: defilement (having sexual relations with a person under the age of 18) and assisting in procuring an abortion.

Following this development, the defence team is now expected to begin presenting its case.

Meanwhile, defence lawyer Patrick Henry Debwe has requested the court to order a DNA test between Chief Malemia and the child born to the alleged victim to determine whether the child is indeed his.