The High Court’s Criminal Division in Blantyre has convicted Lucius Wilson of murdering his wife, Cecelia Yakob, after finding that his account of attending his brother’s funeral did not account for the critical period when she was believed to have been killed.
Wilson told the court that he was in Lirangwe attending his brother’s funeral when the offence occurred.
But the State argued that his account did not cover the period when Yakob was believed to have been murdered, leaving his whereabouts during that crucial time unexplained.
The court also heard evidence about the couple’s relationship, including testimony concerning Wilson’s treatment of Yakob and threats allegedly made before her death.
Yakob disappeared before her body was discovered in a maize field in May 2021.
A post-mortem examination established that she had been strangled.
After considering the evidence and submissions from both sides, the court on Friday found Wilson guilty of murder.
The court has adjourned the matter for sentencing and ordered both the prosecution and defence to file their submissions within 21 days.
Principal State Advocate Layna Kulesi from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions led the prosecution, while Wilson was represented by the Legal Aid Bureau.
