The State has moved to withdraw criminal proceedings against convicted Chinese national Lin Yunhua in Malawi’s Financial Crimes Division of the High Court following a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Court documents filed in Lilongwe on June 9, 2026, show that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has applied for leave to discontinue Criminal Case No. 5 of 2025.
The case stemmed from allegations that Lin Yunhua bribed prison officials while serving a sentence for money laundering and wildlife-related crimes. Complaints received by the ACB alleged that he was enjoying privileges and freedoms not available to other inmates.
According to an affidavit sworn by Peter Sambani, Chief Legal and Prosecution Officer of the ACB, the bureau opened criminal proceedings after receiving the complaints and prepared between 15 and 18 witnesses to testify.
The prosecution opened its case on May 13, 2026, and presented two witnesses before the matter was adjourned.
The direction of the case changed after the DPP, acting in consultation with other relevant authorities, instructed the ACB to discontinue the prosecution.
The directive was communicated in a letter dated May 19, 2026, under reference number DPP/ACB/29V. The letter instructed the bureau to withdraw the case of Republic versus Lin Yunhua before the Financial Crimes Division of the High Court.
According to the affidavit, the decision was based on the view that any alleged misconduct by prison officials should be handled through administrative processes rather than criminal prosecution.
Sambani informed the court that the DPP’s directive was communicated to the ACB Director General, who subsequently instructed him to take the necessary legal steps to withdraw the matter.
The State is now seeking the court’s approval to discontinue the proceedings in accordance with the law.
The development marks a significant turn in a case that had the potential to expose alleged corruption and abuse of office within Malawi’s prison system.
The High Court is expected to consider the application under the Constitution, the Corrupt Practices Act, the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code, and the Courts Act.
If the application is granted, the criminal proceedings against Lin Yunhua will come to an end, closing a case that had only recently entered the evidentiary stage.
Court documents filed in Lilongwe on June 9, 2026, show that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has applied for leave to discontinue Criminal Case No. 5 of 2025.
The case stemmed from allegations that Lin Yunhua bribed prison officials while serving a sentence for money laundering and wildlife-related crimes. Complaints received by the ACB alleged that he was enjoying privileges and freedoms not available to other inmates.
According to an affidavit sworn by Peter Sambani, Chief Legal and Prosecution Officer of the ACB, the bureau opened criminal proceedings after receiving the complaints and prepared between 15 and 18 witnesses to testify.
The prosecution opened its case on May 13, 2026, and presented two witnesses before the matter was adjourned.
The direction of the case changed after the DPP, acting in consultation with other relevant authorities, instructed the ACB to discontinue the prosecution.
The directive was communicated in a letter dated May 19, 2026, under reference number DPP/ACB/29V. The letter instructed the bureau to withdraw the case of Republic versus Lin Yunhua before the Financial Crimes Division of the High Court.
According to the affidavit, the decision was based on the view that any alleged misconduct by prison officials should be handled through administrative processes rather than criminal prosecution.
Sambani informed the court that the DPP’s directive was communicated to the ACB Director General, who subsequently instructed him to take the necessary legal steps to withdraw the matter.
The State is now seeking the court’s approval to discontinue the proceedings in accordance with the law.
The development marks a significant turn in a case that had the potential to expose alleged corruption and abuse of office within Malawi’s prison system.
The High Court is expected to consider the application under the Constitution, the Corrupt Practices Act, the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code, and the Courts Act.
If the application is granted, the criminal proceedings against Lin Yunhua will come to an end, closing a case that had only recently entered the evidentiary stage.
