The State says it intends to add Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development (FISD) Limited on the accused list in the fraud case that four FISD Directors are answering.
The four FISD Directors namely; Moses Chirambo, Frank Mwenechanya, Kondwani Nanchukwa and Arthur Mpama are facing charges of money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony and fraud.
It is alleged that the four directors received a double payment from the African Development Bank, government’s partner in the project they were contracted to undertake.
The ministry had awarded the company a K2.4 billion contract to construct, rehabilitate and expand gravity-fed water supply systems in Ntcheu District.
And on Monday, the State Paraded its first witness Moses Mwakilama from the project implementation Unit, who told the court that there was a double payment made to FISD.
But lawyer representing the four Directors, Wapona Kita told MIJ Online after the hearing that the double payment was just an error and not fraudulent as FISD never made any request for it.
Kita also expressed the need for African Development Bank – (ADB) to testify in the case saying only ADB can explain the documents since they came from their Office and not the State witnesses whom according to him are just tendering hearsay evidence.
“And ADB is not a complainant in this matter, if you look at the disclosures the complainant is the State. According to the emails that have been tendered in court, ADB wanted to recover its money and we are going to show that the money has been recovered more than double”. Said Kita.
But the State through Pirirani Masanjala, Senior State Advocate said bringing ADB witnesses to testify would be a bit difficult. He however said, a way out and a decision will be made when the matter comes.
Masanjala further disclosed that the State wants to amend the charge sheet so that FISD company is added as an accused person.
“We want the company because that is the institution which received the money, the account is in the name of the company not individuals so they will have to answer allegations against the company as well”. Concluded Masanjala.