FOMO sponsor Woodworth discharged in corruption case

The Limbe Dalton Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has discharged a corruption case involving Friends of Mulanje (FOMO) sponsor Mary Woodworth after the prosecution failed to bring the matter before court for two years and seven months.

Woodworth was accused of corruption in connection with a February 2024 Southern Region Football League match between FOMO FC and Ntopwa.

The match was a decisive fixture in determining which team would qualify for the elite league, then known as the Super League.

According to the case, members of the officiating team allegedly approached Woodworth and demanded K2 million to influence the outcome of the match in favour of FOMO FC.

Woodworth declined to pay the alleged bribe but was subsequently arrested and charged with corruption.

However, the prosecution did not bring the case before court for two years and seven months.

This prompted Woodworth, through her lawyer Wester Kosamu of Peter and Grant Attorneys, to apply for the discharge of the case under Section 247 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code.

On September 23, 2026, the Limbe Dalton Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court granted the application and discharged the case.

Woodworth was seen smiling after the court proceedings following the decision.