Cop jailed for corruption

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

The Lilongwe Magistrate Court has sentenced Owen Tebulo, a former Lilongwe Police Station officer, to 20 months imprisonment with hard labour for soliciting a bribe from a suspect.

The court heard, through Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), that Tebulo demanded K5,000.00 from Allan Makondetsa so that he (the suspect) should not be locked in custody.

ACB public relations officer Egrita Ndala said in a press statement that Makondetsa only managed to produce K1,055, which the law enforcer received.

“ACB received a complaint alleging that Tebulo solicited K5,000.00 and received K1,055 from Allan Makondetsa in order for Tebulo to release Makondetsa without putting him in police custody after an arrest,” said Ndala.

“We instituted the investigations, which confirmed the allegations,” she added.

Tebulo was charged with corrupt practices by public officer contrary to Section 24 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and one charge of abuse of office contrary to Section 25 B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and one charge of unlawful wounding contrary to 241 (a) of the Penal Code.

The PRO went on to explain that in 2009 the ACB arrested Owen Tebulo and was taken to Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court on 24th March the same year where he was granted bail after he deposited K5, 000.00 with the court and produced two sureties of K10, 000.00 each not cash.

On June 28th, 2010, the law enforcer was convicted on one count of Corrupt Practices by Public Officer contrary to Section 24(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, but was acquitted on the other charges.

“After finding him guilty on 7th July, 2010, the court sentenced Tebulo 20 months imprisonment with hard labour. He is remanded at Maula Prison where he is serving his sentence,” said Ndala.

END