Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-11 06:50:07
Lester Maganga, the suspect accused of murdering Coca-Cola Company employee Allan Wittika, is leveraging the defense of alibi in his case. The legal term “alibi” refers to the plea of being elsewhere at the time a crime was committed, not at the location of the crime scene.
In court documents obtained by The Daily Times, Maganga claims that he was travelling on official business to the United States during the dates when Wittika was killed. He asserts that numerous individuals can confirm his absence from the country during that period. Maganga also points to bank transactions showing foreign currency withdrawals for his US trip, as well as documents like air tickets to support his claim.
Additionally, the suspect mentions phone call logs from a mobile service provider that he believes will demonstrate his absence from Malawi. He also names specific individuals, such as a friend who drove him to the airport, a travel agent who sold him a ticket, and a visa processing officer at the US Embassy, who can vouch for his whereabouts.
According to the filings, Maganga met other individuals at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia on September 25, 2023, upon his return from the US trip. The submissions indicate that the defendant plans to assert the defense of alibi in response to the murder charge brought against him by the State.
Maganga’s legal representative, Gonjetso Dikiya of Ritz Attorneys, refrained from commenting on the filings until he receives approval from his client. The case is scheduled to reconvene in court on Tuesday for further proceedings.
The body of Allan Wittika was discovered in his official vehicle at Lilongwe’s Area 15 residential estate on September 20, 2023. Maganga was subsequently taken into custody in connection with Wittika’s death.
The defense of alibi is a common strategy used in criminal cases to challenge the prosecution’s timeline and location of the crime. By presenting evidence and witness testimonies supporting his absence from the country during the alleged murder, Maganga aims to raise reasonable doubt about his involvement in the crime. The outcome of the case will ultimately depend on the court’s assessment of the credibility and sufficiency of the alibi defense presented by Maganga.
Read the original article on The Times
