The High Court in Zomba has ruled that the money laundering case involving Abdul Karim Batatawala and former Immigration director general Elvis Thodi should proceed with costs.
In an hour-plus-long determination, High Court Judge Texas Masoamphambe while dismissing some counts in favour of the claimants, said the case is still valid and should proceed.
Lawyer representing the Attorney General’s office, Senior State Advocate Matthews Chione, said he was excited that the case was proceeding, contrary to the claimants’ application to have the case discontinued on the basis that the case commenced when the Money Laundering Act had been repealed and the Financial Crimes Act was effected.
First defendant in the case, the Anti Corruption Bureau, was represented by Anafi Likwanya, who said the ruling sets a good precedent in as far as the fight against corruption in the country is concerned.
Lawyers representing Thodi and Batatawala were not immediately available for comment.
Batatawala and Thodi are answering charges of inflating figures for the supply of materials at the immigration department by a company allegedly owned by Batatawala.
