Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe has found three police officers with a case to answer in a suspected human trafficking matter.
The three are Donald Hora, Enifant Ngomano and Virginia Kasiya.
They are accused of releasing five irregular immigrants from Ethiopia from lawful custody at Ntchisi Police Station.
Hora (56), Ngomano (39) and Kasiya (27) will answer two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and abuse of office.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Cecilia Zangazanga, together with Superintendent Josphine Chigawa, who are prosecuting the case, paraded six witnesses in the case.
“As public servants, you used your position and authority for purposes not aligned with the law,” Zangazanga told the court.
She said that conspiracy to commit a felony involved planning or agreeing with others to commit a serious crime.
The particulars of the case state that on October 10 2024, the accused conspired to unlawfully release five suspected irregular immigrants from lawful custody at Ntchisi Police Station.
On the same date, the accused are said to have abused their authority by unlawfully releasing the individuals from custody.
The three officers pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Defence lawyer Robert Majekete argued that the case was a misdemeanour, meaning that it attracts a lenient sentence or fine.
The defence has since asked for some days to prepare its defence.
Michongwe adjourned the case to Thursday next week.
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