Court rebuffs Chinese National’s appeal to review his 14 years prison sentence over wildlife trafficking

By Chisomo Phiri

The High Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by a Chinese national Lin Yu Hua who was seeking a review of his 14 years prison sentence by Lilongwe Magistrate Court over wildlife trafficking.

It is reported that Lin did not seek leave of the High Court and he appealed at the Supreme Court where he was sent back to the Hight Court to follow the required procedure.

According to the Senior State Advocate and Public Prosecutions, Mathews Chione, the High Court rejected the appeal on grounds that he made the
appeal out of time.

Chione noted that Lin was supposed to file an appeal within 30 days from the day of the sentence.

He however, filed after 13 months.

He added that, Judge Anabel Mtalimanja since ruled that the case is Functus Official as he cannot appeal further, as the matter was already dealt with at the High Court.

Chione, however, said Lin is at liberty to appeal to the Supreme Court on current judgment of his appeals dismissal within 30 days.

Lin, alongside his wife and a Malawian National were arrested in August, 2019.