MALAWI: Catholic University, Legal Aid, and Collaborate to Assist Underprivileged Suspects
Luke Bisani
The Faculty of Law at the Catholic University of Malawi has teamed up with the Malawi Legal Aid Bureau to assist underprivileged suspects in some of the country’s prisons with their bail applications.
After conducting a legal clinic at Chichiri Prison in Blantyre on Thursday, October 23, Mr. Mussa Ishmail Ibrahim, Senior Legal Aid Advocate at the Bureau, praised the partnership with the University, stating that this initiative fulfills the Bureau’s mandate.
Ibrahim noted that this collaboration will help expand the Bureau’s outreach to less privileged remandees seeking bail applications while they await a full trial.
Mr. Tamanda Kadyampakeni, head of Practical Legal Studies, emphasized that this partnership aligns with the Church’s Year of Jubilee celebration, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“As the Church celebrates this Year of Jubilee, we wanted to bring hope to our underprivileged friends who may not afford to hire a private lawyer for their bail applications while waiting for a full trial,” Mr. Kadyampakeni explained.
He added that the collaboration with the Bureau will facilitate the handling of case paperwork, enabling quicker processing of bail applications for many individuals.
One of the students, Ms. Michelle Scout, expressed concern over the lack of sureties for many suspects, which often results in their denial of bail.
She also lamented the delayed justice caused by the overwhelming caseloads facing the country’s courts.
With financial support from the Catholic University of Malawi, the Bureau interviewed over 35 suspects on remand for their bail applications during the legal clinic.
