The High Court in Zomba has upheld a lower court’s decision to deny bail to Senior Chief Malemia.
The ruling follows an application by the chief’s legal team after the Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court rejected an earlier bail request.
Senior Chief Malemia is facing two charges: engaging in sexual relations with a minor and aiding in the procurement of an abortion.
Delivering the ruling, High Court Judge Justice Texious Masoamphambe said the offences are serious in nature and agreed with the Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court that bail should not be granted at this stage.
The judge subsequently referred the matter back to the Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court for continued proceedings.
Reacting to the decision, State Prosecutor Counsel Naarai Longwe expressed satisfaction with the court’s ruling.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Malemia’s lawyer, Counsel Patrick Debwe, declined to comment after the judgment was delivered.
