Lawyers representing Businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala have written the Blantyre Magistrates court notifying it of the failure of the State to comply with the courts order to serve disclosures to the defense by February 10, 2022.
According to Alexius Nampota, Batatawala’s lawyer, the failure by the State to comply with the order means his client will not have enough time to read and get ready for trial scheduled on Monday 28th Fabruary 2022.
“It means that the trial will not proceed on the 28th February. It further means that the State is not ready with the trial”, said Nampota.
Batatawala and three other co-accused persons are answering charges related to defrauding the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services through shady procurement contracts.
Former Chief Immigration Officer, Elvis Thodi, Commissioner Responsible for Operations, Fletcher Nyirenda, and Deputy Director, Limbani Chawinga, are accused of conspiring to defraud the Immigration department together with Batatawala in the procurement of uniforms and other accessories between 2009 and 2012.
