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Former president Bakili Muluzi and Education Minister Yusuf Mwawa have been mentioned as some of the people who know how Sheikh Hamid Abdul Bugidad was killed allegedly by UDF deputy director of Research Humphrey Mvula and others.
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Ishmael Wadi told the High Court in Lilongwe on Tuesday that protocol arrangements are being made to have Muluzi and Mwawa interrogated by the police in connection to Bugidad’s death.
The revelations were made during the hearing of a bail application for Mvula, former Machinga Likwenu MP Rodson Jangiya (UDF) and two others who are facing murder and conspiracy to murder charges in connection with the death of the sheikh in 2002.
In a separate interview, Wadi said Muluzi and Mwawa were mentioned by some witnesses in the course of the investigations as potential witnesses in the alleged murder.
“There are protocol arrangements to be made. The police may have to go to them for the interrogation. They are supposed to clarify certain circumstances in the matter,” said Wadi.
He said the two will not be questioned as accused persons but as potential witnesses and was quick to mention that it would not be proper to arrest them but to get information.
Meanwhile, Judge Robert Chinangwa has reserved his ruling on the bail applications for the four accused persons which came separately but were later consolidated on request of the DPP.
Lawyers representing Mvula, Precious Chirwa and Chimwemwe Kalua, submitted to the court that their client deserves to be released on bail because he is in bad health as evidenced by several medical reports, which they exhibited, highlighting high blood pressure and diabetes.
They argued that their client, who is currently admitted at Kamuzu Central Hospital, is kept in very poor conditions and the state is failing to pay for his medication and give him the necessary diet required.
They argued that their client is supposed to cared by his family members.
The two lawyers also argued that Mvula needs to be bailed out so that he should adequately defend himself on the other matter where he is answering corruption charges at the Blantyre magistrate court.
But the DPP also submitted medical reports to the court showing that Mvula’s health is improving and can be managed while in custody. He also argued against bail to avoid interfering with investigations and tampering with witnesses.
He also argued that the fact that Mvula has other charges is another reason why bail should not be given because he would easily run away.
However Wadi said he has made arrangements to move Mvula to Chichiri Prison in Blantyre so that he should be close to his family members.
The Judge reserved ruling on the matter and no date was set because he said he needed to look at all the submissions made.
Wadi has applied that the hearing of the case should be heard in Liwonde where the alleged crime was committed.
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