By Pemphero Malimba:

The Chief Resident Magistrate (CRM) Court in Lilongwe has adjourned to a later date, a case involving Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) Former Chief Executive Officer Collins Magalasi and Mera former procurement officer Bright Mbewe.

The case involves the alleged mis procurement of a mobile laboratory fuel testing van worth K704 million.

Monday the case was expected to go into defence but it transpired that the defence had applied for adjournment.

Ministry of Justice Director of Criminal Litigation Dzikondianthu Malunda said the state was frustrated with the proceedings in the case saying not much progress has been made since the accused were found with a case to answer in 2022.

Malunda said the state would apply for the revocation of bail of the accused as the state feels that it would be ideal for the case to progress while the accused are in custody.

Defence lawyer Andy Kaonga said the defence applied for the adjournment last week as it was engaged at the High Court, Monday.

Kaonga however said the defence was not delaying the matter.

The two accused persons were arrested in July 2020 and the State was done with the case, having paraded all its witnesses.