Bushiris: Court Dismisses Couple's Application to Have Magistrate Recused

Bushiris: Court Dismisses Couple's Application to Have Magistrate Recused

- Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri's attorneys' case has been dismissed

- The Bushiris' attorneys submitted an application to have the presiding magistrate in the couples extradition hearing recuse himself

- The case was dismissed recently as there was no sufficient evidence or grounds for the application

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Shepherd and Mary Bushiris attorneys' request for the presiding magistrate in their extradition hearing to recuse himself has been dismissed. Magistrate Patrick Chirwa stated that there was insufficient evidence.

The couples' attorney previously argued that the magistrate in the extradition hearing was biased due to the fact that he reportedly signed the court order to have the Bushiris arrested. Their attorneys added that they did not know that the magistrate would be changed.

The Bushiris warrant of arrest is also being challenged, separately, in the High Court of Malawi.

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Malawi court dismisses Bushiri case for recusal of magistrate
Shepherd and Mary Bushiris attorneys attempt to have the magistrate in the extradition hearing recuse himself has been dismissed. Image: Prophet Shepherd Bushiri
Source: Facebook

A report by News24 confirmed the dismissal of the application, adding that Chirwa said there was no ground for his recusal. The self-proclaimed prophet and his wife returned to court for their extradition hearing as well, according to eNCA.

Briefly.co.za previously reported that the couples' extradition hearing was postponed. Reports say that the self-proclaimed prophet's lawyer cited 'evident bias'. According to the Bushiris' lawyers, the magistrate had changed.

Their lawyers reportedly have information that the new magistrate is the same person who issued the warrant of arrest for the Bushiris. The warrant of arrest is reportedly being challenged in the High Court in Malawi. The couple's lawyers believe the magistrate should not handle their clients' case.

The Bushiris' eight-year-old daughter was recently granted permission by Malawian authorities to leave the country in order to receive medical treatment in Kenya.

It was reported that his daughter and mother-in-law were stopped by Malawian authorities at the Malawi international airport while they were trying to leave the country for Kenya, where the little one will be receiving treatment.

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Not long thereafter, Bushiri's spokesperson revealed that the couple was taking the matter to court as it is the child's right to seek medical attention abroad should a qualified medical doctor deem it necessary.

This follows Malawi authorities issuing a warrant of arrest for Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri. The warrant comes very shortly after the Malawian authorities denied their daughter's trip to Kenya.

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Source: Briefly News

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