Banda trial puts separtion of power under spotlight

Banda, through his lawyers, has challenged the stripping of his immunity against prosecution by the National Assembly. On June 15, the National Assembly removed Banda's immunity in order for him to face allegations of corruption, money laundering and fraud, as charged by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba.

The former president claims a petition was filed before the High Court challenging the removal of his immunity at the time the National Assembly deliberated the motion. Another ground Banda has used to challenge the removal of his immunity is that it was done by 80 Members of Parliament out of the total number of 158, which the former President feels was based on simple majority.