Police in Mzuzu have arrested a private practice lawyer for impersonating a magistrate in order to steal K16 million from a company.
The lawyer Patron Ndhlovu aged 38 of Makuta and Company impersonated Mzuzu chief resident magistrate Gladys Gondwe.
Mzuzu Police Station assistant spokesman Paul Tembo said Ndhlovu produced court orders to defraud Central Poultry and Food Products Ltd of money in excess of K16 million through banks.
He is also accused of forging court orders to dupe companies into paying him money. The lawyer was reported to police by National Bank of Malawi after getting suspicious with the documents.
Police have since charged Ndhlovu with forging a judicial or official document contrary to Section 358 of the Penal Code. He faces 10 years imprisonment if convicted.
This is not the first time for Ndhlovu to be arrested on allegations of stealing money from unsuspecting companies.
Last year, fiscal police arrested and charged Ndhlovu with attempting to deceive and defraud a company of over K5 million.
Ndhlovu is one of the two legal practitioners Malawi Law Society (MLS) disciplinary committee recommended for disbarment and prosecution.
He comes from Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba.
