Mbeta to represent Parliament, Speaker in committees case

In a twist of events, Attorney General (AG) Frank Mbeta has taken over legal representation of Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman and Parliament Secretariat in a case relating to parliamentary joint committees.

Mbeta, who initially joined the case as an interested party, has replaced private practice lawyer Bright Theu who was representing the Speaker and Parliament in the case filed by concerned citizen Austin Mkoka.

Mbeta: Parliament did not bring documents. | Nation

In a notice of change of legal practitioners dated October 19 2026 filed at the High Court of Malawi’s Principal Registry, Civil Division, Mbeta said the AG will henceforth represent both defendants.

In an interview yesterday, he said he has taken over the case because it concerns Parliament, an arm of government and the Speaker’s office whose legal representation falls within his responsibilities as the government’s principal legal adviser.

Mbeta said he reviewed the documents relating to the case and decided to assume responsibility for representing both Parliament and the Speaker.

He said: “Initially, Parliament did not bring the documents served on it to my office as procedurally required.

“My office joined in so that we are able to participate in the proceedings while awaiting housekeeping issues with Parliament on how it appointed private practice lawyers before approaching the AG’s office.”

Mbeta further noted that the case was of particular interest because it raised constitutional questions concerning the limits of Parliament’s powers and the Speaker’s authority in relation to the Executive and Judiciary and institutions under them.

In a written response past evening, Suleman said his office is aware of the AG’s involvement in the Judicial Review proceedings concerning the establishment of the parliamentary Joint Committees.

However, his office was not consulted at any point nor was its position sought on the decision.

The case follows Suleman’s directive in August to establish joint committees to investigate 12 issues of public concern bordering on alleged corruption and governance lapses in public institutions.

The committees were mandated to investigate economic pressure points, including fuel supply, electricity, mining, fertiliser and pension management, alongside public service delivery concerns such as passport issuance and conditions in prisons.

But the committees were suspended after Mkoka obtained an injunction from the High Court, halting the investigations pending further court proceedings.

In September, President Peter Mutharika and Suleman met in Lilongwe amid tensions over Parliament’s constitutional oversight role.

The post Mbeta to represent Parliament, Speaker in committees case appeared first on Nation Online.