By Twink Jones Gadama
In a stern warning to would-be thieves, the Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 22-year-old Assan George to 16 years in prison for robbing a man of his Redmi Note 10 smartphone. The phone, valued at K300,000, was stolen on the night of November 30, 2024, when the victim was ambushed by Assan and his accomplices while walking home from Chinsapo 2.
According to Lilongwe Police Deputy Spokesperson Constable Khumbo Sanyiwa, the court heard evidence from Inspector Bauleni Namasani, who detailed the events surrounding the robbery. Despite Assan’s denial of the charges, the state presented witnesses whose testimony led to his conviction.
Assan pleaded for leniency, citing that it was his first offense, but the prosecution opposed his request. Delivering the ruling, Magistrate Roderick Michongwe emphasized that the punishment should serve as a lesson to others. Assan, who hails from Jalasi Village in Mangochi, will now face 16 years behind bars.
This sentence sends a strong message to the public that theft and robbery will not be tolerated in Malawi. The court’s decision is a testament to the country’s commitment to upholding justice and protecting its citizens’ rights.
