By Our Staff Reporter
Convicted wildlife crimes and money-laundering offender Lin Yunhua has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of corrupt practices with public officers and abuse of public office before the High Court in Lilongwe.
The matter is being heard by High Court Judge Redson Kapindu.
According to the State, Lin faces two counts of corrupt practices with public officers arising from alleged conduct in 2019 while he was on remand at Maula Prison. Prosecutors allege that Lin corruptly offered K30 million and undertook to complete construction of a house for Aaron Ganyavu Kaunda, who was then Officer-in-Charge of the prison. The alleged inducement was purportedly intended to influence Kaunda to engage then Chief Resident Magistrate Violet Chipao to secure a lesser sentence for Lin in a wildlife and money-laundering case she was handling at the time.
In addition, Lin is answering to five counts of abuse of public office. The State alleges that between 2022 and 2023, while serving a 14-year custodial sentence, Lin persuaded prison officials to unlawfully allow him to leave custody on several occasions. Prosecutors claim these unauthorized movements took him to his private residences and locations in Area 9, Biwi, Kanengo and Bunda within Lilongwe.
Following the plea, Judge Kapindu adjourned the proceedings to tomorrow, when he is expected to deliver a ruling on the direction the case will take, including how the trial will proceed.
Lin is already serving a sentence related to wildlife crimes and money laundering, and the outcome of the current proceedings could have further implications for his custodial status.
