|
Sudi Sulaimana, who was wrongfully imprisoned and tried for treason by government, Thursday asked the High Court to order that the state pays him about $90,000 for unlawful detention.
Sulaimana and his co-accused Colvin Kaumila appeared before Assistant Registrar of the High Court Michael Tembo in his chambers for the assessment of damages.
Their lawyer Joseph Kamkwasi presented documents supporting the claims.
He said in an interview later that he has been asked to provide the court with written submissions within 14 days from Thursday.
“It will be up to the court to award my client the money he is demanding but after the submissions we will be waiting for the ruling on the matter,” said Kamkwasi.
The state did not attend the proceedings Thursday and Kamkwasi said they notified the Attorney General’s Chambers on August 27 that there would be an assessment of damages.
“We notified them of the case but they were not here,” said Kamkwasi.
Attorney General Ralph Kasambara said he needed time to check what happened for the state not to be represented, saying he was busy in Parliament the whole of Thursday.
The state did not challenge Sulaimana’s suit on wrongful detention and malicious prosecution.
Senior Deputy Chief State Advocate Geoff Nkhata, who was representing the Attorney General in the matter, said last month the state would appeal against the High Court judgement which ruled that Sulaimana should be awarded special damages for unlawful detention and malicious prosecution.
Sulaimana and Kaumila and two Malawi Army soldiers were being tried for treason and the state discontinued the case for lack of evidence.
|
