IN SIDE THE PRISON

Unidentified tricksters, who pretended to be officials from the High Court, ripped a man of K20, 000 in Ntchisi after promising to facilitate the pardoning of his son during this years’ independence celebration.

Mariko Hussein, the father to Fred Hussein who is serving a five year jail term at Ntchisi Prison, said the tricksters called to assist him few days before Independence Day, asking if he had a son who was serving a jail term at Ntchisi Prison. “The anonymous caller said was calling from the High Court on behalf of his boss and said my son was one of the seven prisoners to be pardoned at Ntchisi Prison as part of the 2016 Independence Day Celebrations. But, he said I had to cough a good amount for that to happen,” said Hussein. He said the caller told him that the boss held a senior position at the High Court and was ready to help the son get pardoned. He therefore did not hesitate as he wanted his son to be released from prison. “I was told to send him K25, 000 but I bargained up to K20, 000 which I sent through Airtel Money as advised. And I was told to prepare ground nuts and potatoes for the caller and one other officer who he said would come to get the boy released, but nobody came,” he said. Hussein said he realised later that they were tricksters because after the money was sent, the man stopped taking his calls and later the number could not be reached. He said he suspected that some paralegals who interact with prisoners at Ntchisi Prison could have played the trick because they interact with inmates at the prison and get their relatives’ numbers. Ntchisi Police confirmed to have received the complaint and said was investigating the issue. Malawi Presidents every year pardons prisoners who have served at least half of their sentences, with good behaviour and were not convicted of serious offences. Some are pardoned because of their medical condition.

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