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UNODC, COMESA Host Training Workshop on Asset Forfeiture for Malawi Judiciary
Blantyre, Malawi - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has partnered with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to host a training workshop on asset forfeiture for judges in Malawi. The workshop took place from August 18-19 at an undisclosed location.
Background
The event was preceded by the launch of a Handbook on Asset Forfeiture, which was developed by UNODC with financial support from the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Organization (FCDO). The handbook is a result of a request made by the former Chief Justice of Malawi, Justice Andrew Nyirenda S.C., during an anti-corruption scoping mission conducted by UNODC and the United Nations Office in Malawi in March 2021.
The Scoping Mission
- Highlighted the need for asset forfeiture cases to be handled by the Judiciary’s newly established Financial and Economic Crimes Division
- Identified the division as responsible for handling all financial and economic crimes, including corruption and money laundering
Challenges in Asset Forfeiture
During the workshop, judges observed that asset forfeiture, particularly non-conviction-based asset forfeiture, can be challenging for law enforcement and courts to handle. The training aimed to provide guidance on handling such cases, with a focus on using precedents from Malawi and other countries.
The Handbook
- Praised by the current Chief Justice of Malawi, Rizine Mzikamanda S.C., as a valuable resource that will help judges navigate asset forfeiture cases
- To be used as a base for developing rules of procedure for the financial and economic crimes court
Conclusion
The training workshop was seen as an important step towards strengthening Malawi’s Judiciary in its efforts to prevent financial crime and promote asset recovery. The UNODC and COMESA partnership is expected to continue supporting the development of the country’s judicial capacity in this area.