Former President’s aide Norman Cissar has returned to Lilongwe’s High Court today in his trial on unexplained wealth charges.
The case, postponed yesterday by Judge Violet Chipao, follows allegations that Chisar had illegally accumulated assets well beyond his known source of income as the top aide to former President Peter Mutarika.
Yesterday’s lawsuit was postponed after Chisar’s defense team called for a delay, citing emergency attendance at a high-level national security council, convened by the Malawi Election Commission (MEC), Malawi Police and Malawi Defence Forces. The conference, which aimed to tackle rising political violence, was specifically directed at the oversight of young political parties.
Chisale’s lawyer Gilbert Khonyongwa told MIJ Online that client attendance is essential due to the exclusive focus of the conference on youth political leadership. “It was a national interest issue and Mr. Chisar had to be there,” he said.
Despite the delays, Prosecutor’s Director Masauko Chamkakara confirmed that the state is ready with two witnesses and hopes that it will proceed without further interruption today.
Once one of the most powerful figures in Statehouse, Chisar has faced a series of legal challenges since the government’s change in 2020. Today’s session is expected to attract great attention as the nation begins to file a full-scale lawsuit.
The procedure is scheduled to begin in the morning.
