On 20th February, 2023, the Principal Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe convicted Mr.
Gerald Viola, Former Deputy Chief Executive Officer at National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA)
and Mr. Chrispin Chingola a businessperson respectively. They were arrested in 2020 on
suspected corrupt practices in the award of a contract to Missies Trading to supply 10,000
metric tons of maize worth MK 3,300,000,000.00.
• Mr. Gerald Viola was charged with misuse of public office, interfering with the work of
the Internal Procurement and Disposal of Assets Committee, forgery and conspiracy
to misuse public office contrary to Sections 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, 57
(1) © as read with Section 63 (1) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets
Act (2017), Section 356 of the Penal Code and Section 25 B (1) as read with Section
35 of the Corrupt Practices Act respectively. He has been convicted for abuse of
office but acquitted on the other two charges.
• Mr. Chrispin Chingola has been convicted for influencing a public officer to misuse a
public office contrary to Section 25 B (2) of the Corrupt Practices Act and acquitted
for forgery contrary to Section 356 of the Penal Code.
Bail for the two has been revoked. Sentencing will be done on 27th February, 2023.
EGRITA M. NDALA
PRINCIPAL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: DIRECTOR GENERAL
