#Malawi lawyers back probe into Bingu wa Mutharika's wealth

The Malawi Law Society (MLS) has backed calls for a probe into former president Bingu wa Mutharika's accumulation of at least K61 billion, alleged to be stashed in offshore accounts.

According to a Nyasa Times report, John Suzi Banda, MLS President, said that citizens of the southern African country had a right to know if money was looted during Mutharika's tenure as president from 2004 until his sudden death in 2012.

"The MPs should deliberate on this issue but parliament has no skills to probe this complex matter probably the police and the [law enforcing egencies] can come in because they have the skills to investigate complex foreign bank accounts," Banda was quoted as saying.

Banda's calls followed allegations made by opposition members who ordered that funds stashed in offshore accounts belonging to the ex-president be brought back and utilised towards recovering the country's ailing economy.

"There is money there which belongs to the people of Malawi," said MP Harry Mkandawire, while presenting copies of a document containing allegations regarding Mutharika's accumulated wealth.

In response to Mkandawire's utterances, Justice Minister Samuel Tembenu claimed that no evidence of offshore accounts existed, adding that the accusations should be dismissed.


"When you look at this question, the factual basis is suspect because it is containing allegations that are not proven," Tembenu was quoted as saying by The Nation.

The ruling DPP has since failed to disclosed how much the late president managed to accumulate while in office.



- News24