By Chisomo Phiri
The High Court of Malawi in Blantyre on Wednesday dismissed an application by former president Peter Mutharika’s personal bodyguard, Norman Chisale, challenging the State’s application to forfeit his assets valued at about K5 billion.
In his ruling, High Court Judge Mike Tembo stated that there was no obstacle to prevent the court from hearing the State’s application for Chisale’s assets forfeiture.
Following Tembo’s ruling, Chisale’s lawyer, Chancy Gondwe, requested permission for Chisale to appeal the judge’s decision in the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Additionally, Gondwe asked the court to stay the proceedings until the Supreme Court of Appeal makes a determination on the matter.
However, Tembo dismissed both of Chisale’s applications.
Chisale was not present in court during the ruling.
Chisale’s property was seized in 2021 for being suspected to be acquired using dubious means.
The State now wants to permanently take custody of the assets so that they can be sold and recover the money.
