Court grants Ex-Army chief bail in ACB case

Former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) commander General Paul Velentino Phiri was yesterday granted bail on a K10 million cash bond and two sureties bonded at K20 million each.

Senior Resident Magistrate Shukurani Kumbani also ordered Phiri to report to police once a month and set November 12 for commencement of the trial.

Phiri appeared before Kumbani in Lilongwe a day after his arrest by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). He spent Thursday night in custody after his initial court appearance was postponed.

His lawyer, Powell Nkhutabasa, said the court first informed Phiri of the reasons for his detention before the defence applied for bail.

“The general was informed of the reasons why he had been detained. After that, we made an application for bail and the court has since released him on bail,” he said.

Phiri leaves court for police custody on Thursday after failing to secure bail,

which he was granted yesterday | Suzgo Chitete

The ACB has charged Phiri with five counts involving alleged misuse of public office, contravention of procurement procedures and dealing in terrorist property.

According to the charge sheet, the allegations relate to events in June and July 2025, when Phiri was MDF commander.

The State alleges that Phiri facilitated the issuance of an End User Certificate dated June 18 2025 for military equipment purportedly destined for the MDF but allegedly intended for rebel forces in Sudan.

An End User Certificate identifies the intended recipient of military equipment.

The charge sheet further alleges that Phiri instructed subordinate officers to clear an aircraft, registration number SUSKG, on the representation that it was carrying equipment for the MDF.

Another count accuses him of procuring the equipment unilaterally, contrary to procurement procedures.

The final two counts allege that Phiri knowingly concealed property described in the charge sheet as terrorist property at the Malawi Air Cargo warehouse in Lilongwe.

The State further alleges that the property had been received from Kenya before being removed from Malawi to Chad.

Phiri did not take a plea and remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The charges have been brought under the Corrupt Practices Act, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, 2024 and the Financial Crimes Act, 2017.

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