Maravi

My cases were politically motivated, says Mahtani

My cases were politically motivated, says Mahtani
By Maluba Jere
Tue 17 Jan. 2012, 13:57 CAT

MY court cases were politically motivated, says Finance Bank chairman Dr Rajan Mahtani.

Speaking after the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi in a matter where Dr Mahatani and another were charged with obtaining credit by false pretences involving K6.5 billion, Dr Mahtani said all his cases had no substance because they were politically motivated.

He said he was grateful that justice had prevailed over offences he was accused of having committed.

Asked whether he expected yesterday's outcome in the matter, Dr Mahtani said, "I expected there was no case and I was looking forward to trial to hear what the prosecutors would say."

"As a born again Christian, I just wish to say to those who were accusing me that I have forgiven them," he said.

"The state has realised that there is no substance in the case hence the discharge."

Dr Mahtani said although he and his co-accused were harassed for two whole years, he had no intention of suing for wrongful prosecution, saying he was leaving that to God.

In this case, Dr Mahtani and David Peter Kamalarajan Kanaganagam pleaded not guilty to a charge of obtaining credit by false pretences involving K6.5 billion.

The duo first appeared before senior resident magistrate David Simusamba where they both denied the charge against them and the court entered plea in that respect.

After sometime, they were discharged through a nolle prosequi but were later that same day re-arrested on the same charge.

They then appeared before magistrate Mwaka Mikalile where they again pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Particulars of the offence alleged that on dates unknown but between February 1, 2008 and February 29, 2008, in Ndola, Mahtani and Kamalarajan jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, in incurring a debt did obtain K6.5 billion from Finance Bank by falsely pretending that the money was working capital for Cladava Mining Limited when in fact not.

When the matter came up for commencement of trial yesterday, magistrate Mikalile was informed by the state that the DPP had entered a nolle prosequi in the matter.

Magistrate Mikalile then discontinued the matter.

Dr Mahtani was represented in the matter by Michael Mundashi and John Sangwa.

Labels: DPP, FINANCE BANK, RAJAN MAHTANI

posted by MrK @ 6:28 PM