Businessperson Thom Mpinganjira has been sentenced to nine years in prison with hard labour.
Mpinganjira was convicted of attempting to bribe five Judges who were presiding over the 2019 elections case on September 10.
This morning, High Court Judge Dorothy DeGabrielle handed the nine-year sentence to Mpinganjira who owns FDH Bank.
On September 10, Mpingajira’s lawyers asked for a non-custodial sentence saying the convict is a 60-year-old man with health issues, a first offender and he helps underprivileged persons.
But DeGabrielle this morning said Mpinganjira committed a felony and the seriousness of the offence means the mitigating factors do not carry weight.
She noted that Mpingajira’s attempt to bribe judges was aimed at perverting the course of justice.
According to the Judge, Mpinganjira showed impunity in his use of power, influence and money and there is a likelihood that Mpinganjira could do it again hence the public should be protected.
In the 2019 elections case, Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima wanted the court to nullify the 2019 presidential elections in which the Malawi leader at the time, Peter Mutharika, was declared winner.
Mpinganjira offered the judges K100 million to decide the case in favour of Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Pepani man