Chithyola linked to K25bn abuse, granted bail

Former Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda yesterday walked to freedom after being charged with abuse of office in connection with alleged authorisation of Eastbridge fertiliser deal payments that cost taxpayers K25 billion. He was arrested on Sunday and spent two nights in police custody before being taken to the Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Lilongwe principal resident magistrate Benjamin Chulu read out the charge.

The court heard that between October 2023 and September 2025, while serving as minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Chithyola Banda allegedly misused his office by authorising payments that benefited East Bridge Romania Co. The State said the funds were channelled to the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) through the Ministry of Agriculture to procure commodities, including soya beans and tobacco, which were delivered to the company in exchange for fertiliser that was never supplied. “The transaction caused a pecuniary loss to the Government of Malawi in the sum of K25 billion,” Chulu said.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Fostino Maere said the State took the accused to court to inform him of the charge. He did not object to bail application, subject to conditions. The State proposed a K2 million cash bond, two non-cash sureties bonded at K5 million each, surrender of travel documents and monthly reporting to police.

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Maere told the court that investigations were complete and that the State would require three days to prosecute the case. Defence lawyer George Kadzipatike did not object to the bail conditions and asked the court to grant bail. He also informed the court that Chithyola Banda is scheduled to travel to Namibia on parliamentary duties from April 19 to April 25 and would require his travel documents.

The State said it would not oppose the trip but requested to be furnished with details before departure. Chulu granted the former minister bail on the proposed conditions, allowing the accused to retain his travel documents for the Namibia trip and that he should surrender the same upon return.

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