The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Mzimba North Member of Parliament Yeremiah Chihana on allegations of corruption, failure to declare interest, and money laundering.
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According to a warrant of arrest issued by the Resident Magistrate Court sitting in Mzuzu, Chihana is “reasonably suspected” of having committed the offence of misuse of public office, contrary to Section 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
Chiana is also accused of failure to declare interest under Section 25D (2) of the same Act and money laundering, contrary to Section 42(2)(c) of the Financial Crimes Act.
In a statement, ACB says the charges stem from Chihana’s alleged role in authorizing payments totaling K29 million to Northworks Company Ltd, despite being in a contractual agreement with the company.
ACB Principal Public Relations Officer Egrita Ndala confirmed the arrest, stating that Chihana will be formally charged with two counts of abuse of office and one count of failure to declare interest.
“The ACB investigations found that Honourable Yeremiah Chihana requested Mzimba District Council to make payments of K14,000,000.00 and K15,000,000.00 to Northworks Company Ltd… with full knowledge that the road rehabilitation works will not be done by the Northworks Ltd,” reads the statement.
Chihana, a known critic of President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration, is expected to be transferred from Blantyre, where he was arrested, to Mzuzu for court proceedings on Wednesday 16th April, 2025.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Dr. George Chaponda, visited Chihana at the ACB offices in Blantyre, expressing concern over the detention.
“I’m delighted to see he’s in good spirits. We’ve assured him of our support during this challenging time,” said Chaponda. “As a vocal advocate for various causes, Honourable Chihana’s voice will continue to be heard, and his detention won’t silence him.”
Some opposition voices allege the arrest is politically motivated because Chihana recently expressed support for former President Peter Mutharika’s possible return to power, prompting speculation about the timing of his arrest.
Political analyst George Chaima also criticized the move, saying, “The MCP-led government is targeting dissenters while Malawians are suffering from hunger and economic hardship.”
In 2022, Chihana accused the government of mishandling K30 billion under the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), claiming to have evidence of widespread corruption.
He also called for an independent commission to investigate the suspicious death of Vice President Saulos Chilima.
Chihana will spend the night in police custody and appear in court in Mzuzu tomorrow to face the charges.
