By Taonga Kaipa:
Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda has granted bail to Collins Magalasi in two cases in which he is answering charges relating to the alleged hacking of mobile phone numbers of senior government officials and alleged financial crimes linked to the purchase of Amaryllis Hotel.
In the hacking case, the State alleges that Magalasi was involved in a plot to illegally access mobile phone numbers belonging to President Arthur Peter Mutharika and other senior government officials. The court has, however, ruled that he should be accorded his constitutional right to bail and allowed to seek medical treatment.
Banda ordered Magalasi to pay a K2.5 million bond, provide two non-cash sureties bonded at K5 million each and report to Police Headquarters every fortnight.
The State had opposed bail, arguing that Magalasi was a flight risk and should remain in custody. However, Banda said the State had not provided sufficient reasons to justify his continued detention.
In a separate case involving the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s purchase of Amaryllis Hotel, Magalasi is facing charges arising from alleged financial crimes connected to the transaction.
The State also opposed bail in the Amaryllis case, maintaining that Magalasi was a flight risk.
His lawyer, Andy Kaonga, however, argued that the State had not presented evidence to support the claim.
Banda granted Magalasi bail in the Amaryllis case on condition that he pays a K1 million bond, provides two non-cash sureties bonded at K5 million each, reports to Police Headquarters every fortnight and does not interfere with State witnesses.
