Former Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda has been granted permission by the court to travel to Namibia before handing over his passport, following a bail ruling in an abuse of office case.
The court allowed him to proceed with previously arranged travel plans, provided he complies with the bail conditions afterward.
The ruling was delivered by Benjamin Chulu, who granted bail after Chithyola Banda was formally charged.
Prosecutors allege that he misused his position by authorizing the Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) to engage in a deal with East Bridge, a company contracted to supply fertilizer that reportedly never reached the country.
According to the prosecution, the agreement involved SFFRFM exchanging crops such as soya and tobacco for fertilizer.
However, the deal allegedly failed, raising concerns about accountability and the handling of public resources.
As part of his bail conditions, Chithyola Banda must pay a bond of K2 million and present two sureties valued at K5 million each.
He is also required to report to police headquarters monthly, specifically on the third day of the second week.
Although the court ordered him to surrender his travel documents, his legal team successfully requested a temporary exemption to allow him to fulfill his travel obligations.
He is scheduled to travel to Namibia from April 19 to April 25 and must surrender his passport on April 27 upon his return.
His lawyer, Jivason Kadzipatike, confirmed that his client was arrested on Sunday and later brought before the court to be formally informed of the charges.
He also noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions did not oppose bail, which contributed to the court’s decision.The trial date has not yet been set.
The case will be reassigned to another magistrate following Chulu’s promotion to the High Court, with further directions expected once a hearing is scheduled.
