Court rulings issued in Malawi and Ghana criminal cases

In Malawi, the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has ruled that eight suspects must defend themselves against charges of causing grievous harm. The suspects, including Eric Phakamisa and Bruno Makina, are accused of attacking a primary school teacher with pangas during a 2025 protest regarding civil servant salary increases in Lilongwe. Magistrate Bracious Kondowe stated that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to require the accused to answer the charges. The case is adjourned until December 7, 2026.

In Ghana, a Circuit Court in Accra has remanded five men into police custody for alleged involvement in land guard activities at Abokobi. The accused, including Abdul Wahab Adams and Ali Abubakar, face charges of conspiracy, trespass, and engaging in prohibited land guard activities. They are alleged to have used machetes and other weapons to attack a security officer and real estate clients. A sixth suspect, Nana Oteng, remains at large following allegations that he recruited the group to harass individuals and force them to vacate land. The group is scheduled to reappear in court on October 28, 2026.