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| National |
| Stanbrook not ready with Elections Case |
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by
Pilirani Semu-Banda, 22 July 2004
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12:42:33
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Eminent British lawyer Clive Stanbrook, QC, who the opposition MCP and Mgwirizano Coalition want to a case in which they are challenging results of the May 20 presidential elections, has not yet accepted the request.
Lawyer Titus Mvalo, who took up the case after the first legal team disbanded, said on Wednesday Stanbrook flew into the country last week but did not commit himself to argue against the legitimacy of President Bingu wa Mutharika’s as leader of this country.
Mvalo said the British lawyer only came into the country to assess chances the case has to succeed in the courts.
“He hasn’t given his acceptance to the case and we’re currently waiting for his response,” said Mvalo, who did not give an indication as to when Stanbrook is expected to give his opinion.
He said the QC has since gone back.
“His response will depend on how he values the case,” said Mvalo.
Mvalo was hired when the Republican Party (RP) broke away from the Mgwirizano Coalition to join the ruling UDF. The legal team comprising RP vice president Bazuka Mhango, who is now Minister of Lands Housing and Charles Mhango was changed after the move.
Last Wednesday, MCP president John Tembo refused to divulge information on Stanbrook’s involvement in the case, saying he will issue a press statement “when everything is ready”.
Asked if Stanbrook’s delay in accepting the case does not indicate that the case has crumbled, MCP deputy publicity secretary Bintony Kutsaira said the lawyer is only behaving professionally by taking his time to study the case before he picks it up.
“We don’t feel betrayed because we know he’s taking his time to give us a proper answer,” said Kutsaira.
Mgwirizano legal advisor Kamuzu Chibambo agreed with Kutsaira saying “any lawyer worthy his salt” would assess a case before giving an opinion.
“It’s only prudent to do so,” said Chibambo.
Meanwhile, treasurer of the Mgwirizano Coalition Levison Ganiza, said they are still looking for more money from well-wishers towards the case.
He said so far “there are millions in the account that was opened to gather money for the case” but that the money is still not enough.
“The legal team will be strong and high-powered and the case promises to be lengthy so we need as much money as we can get,” said Ganiza. Stanbrook was instrumental in Tembo’s victory in the Mwanza murders case in 1995 when government accused the MCP president of killing cabinet ministers during the Kamuzu Banda one party regime.
The QC also worked together with Mvalo in winning a case last year where Tembo and MCP secretary general Kate Kainja were removed from Parliament for moral turpitude.
MCP lost a case against the 1999 presidential results which was also handled by Stanbrook.
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