Malawi: 'Piecemeal' Charges - Magalasi's Lawyer Accuses State of Dragging Out Case to Keep Him Locked Up

What the report says

A magistrate’s court in Lilongwe is expected to rule on Thursday on whether former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority chief executive Collins Magalasi should be released on bail, according to Nyasa Times as distributed by AllAfrica. Magalasi was arrested on Monday and appeared in court over allegations that he helped a man known as Lovemore access the phones of President Peter Mutharika and several senior officials under Malawi’s Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act.

The hearing focused heavily on whether he should remain in custody while investigators continue their work. Prosecutors argued that his contacts, resources and technical connections could let him interfere with witnesses or evidence, and said cyber investigators still need time to examine devices seized during the investigation. The defense, however, said police already searched his home, confiscated items including laptops, and have not shown enough evidence to justify ongoing detention.

A separate dispute arose over the police operation at Magalasi’s residence. His lawyer said dozens of officers arrived in several vehicles, while a police witness gave a lower estimate. The defense also accused the State of filing new accusations in stages to prolong detention, pointing to charges linked to the Amaryllis Hotel deal brought the previous day. The case matters because it touches on bail, cybercrime allegations and the broader question of how investigators and courts handle complex digital-evidence cases in Malawi.