EX-MDF chief spends night in custody

Malawi Defence Force (MDF) immediate-past commander General Paul Velentino Phiri (retired) was set to spend the night in police custody yesterday after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) postponed his scheduled court appearance at the last minute.

Following an interrogation session at ACB offices at City Centre, Lilongwe, Phiri was taken to the Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court in Area 3 at about 1.30pm for formal charging and a possible bail application.

But, as the State and the defence waited for proceedings to start, Phiri’s lawyer Powell Nkhutabasa received communication that the hearing was rescheduled to today.

The sudden change left those at the court puzzled with neither the ACB nor the defence immediately providing an explanation for the postponement.

“I prepared for court, but we have been advised that the hearing will take place tomorrow,” Nkhutabasa said, declining to comment further.

ACB principal public relations officer Jacqueline Ngongonda did not respond to an inquiry on why the hearing was postponed.

But a court official said the communication came from the ACB and that the court was ready to proceed.

The ACB said in a statement that Phiri was arrested on five counts relating to abuse of office and dealing in terrorist property. The bureau alleges that between June and July 2025, Phiri facilitated the illegal trafficking of firearms.

General Paul Velentino Phiri (retired)

Following the change, Phiri was driven in a Toyota Hilux twin-cab to police custody for the night.

His sympathisers, including Malawi Congress Party politicians such as George Zulu and others, appeared concerned by the development, with some hugging him before he left and others calling for warm clothing to be brought for his night in custody.

But Phiri himself appeared relaxed throughout the day.

He was seen briefly consulting Nkhutabasa at court and made several phone calls before being taken away.

Earlier, at the ACB offices, he smiled as photographers took his pictures.

Meanwhile, National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe has described the State’s handling of the matter as troubling, saying there should be an explanation for postponing a case that was already scheduled for hearing.

“Where both prosecution and defence are before court for plea and bail, postponing proceedings without a valid reason or reasonable explanation, while the suspect remains in custody, risks turning remand into punishment before trial,” he said.

Kondowe, a lawyer, said he had observed a similar trend in other recent cases, citing economist Collins Magalasi, whose scheduled court session also failed to proceed, resulting in continued detention.

His case is expected to come before court today.

Former president Lazarus Chakwera appointed Phiri as MDF commander on July 11 2023 to succeed General Vincent Nundwe (retired). He served in the position until October 2025 when President Peter Mutharika replaced him with General George Alexander Jaffu Jnr.

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