Supreme Court Rebuffs Chimwendo Banda

…..Dismisses Remand Appeal

The Supreme Court of Appeal in Blantyre has dismissed an appeal by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda challenging his 90-day remand order, ruling that the matter was prematurely brought before the court.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Dorothy Nyakaunda Kamanga upheld objections raised by the State, saying the Supreme Court of Appeal lacks jurisdiction to entertain the application at this stage.

State lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda had earlier challenged the appeal on technical grounds, arguing that the court could not preside over the matter as it stood.

Justice Kamanga agreed, noting that the jurisdictional issue was fundamental and fatal to the application.

As a result, the court dismissed Chimwendo Banda’s application to stay the remand order.

The dismissal comes amid visible political isolation, with no senior Malawi Congress Party officials present in court during the proceedings.

The only person associated with the accused who attended the hearing was his brother, Wycliffe Chimwendo.

Chimwendo Banda, who is represented by lawyer Khwima Mchizi, had asked the Supreme Court to intervene after the High Court upheld a 90-day remand warrant issued on December 15, 2025.

He cited alleged irregularities surrounding his arrest and claimed he fell ill while on remand.

Despite the dismissal, Chimwendo Banda still awaits a ruling on a separate bail application.