Malawi court to decide bishop's bail on November 20
Prosecutors do not oppose bail for Bishop Medram Felix Chirwa in a murder case but seek strict conditions.
The High Court’s Criminal Division in Lilongwe will rule on November 20 whether Bishop Medram Felix Chirwa of the Fountain of Victory Church can be granted bail. Chirwa is involved in a murder case concerning FDH Bank employee Tathokoza Salimu.
Prosecutors, represented by lawyer Hassan Ayami, told the court on Monday that they do not oppose bail but requested stringent conditions. These include reporting to the DPP Criminal Registry every two weeks, a property bond of K300 million, two sureties of K20 million each, surrendering travel documents, and court approval for any travel outside Malawi.
Chirwa’s lawyer, Joseph Chiume, argued that fortnightly reporting is an unnecessary burden and proposed monthly reporting instead. Justice Ngwira Mwakibinga reserved his ruling after hearing arguments from both sides.