The Supreme Court of Appeal in Blantyre has denied an application by businessperson Thomson Mpinganjira to grant a stay in a judges bribery case which he is answering.
The defence made an application on the grounds that the trial judge, Dorothy Degabrielle, will not be fair, impatial and that there is a risk of bias.
The defence also wanted the Supreme Court to declare the case null and mistrial.
Making his ruling, Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, said the reasons given by the defence were not good enough hence the trial must proceed.
Lead state prosecutor, Reyneck Matemba said they will proceed with the case this afternoon. On the other hand, lead defence lawyer, Patrice Nkhono said they will proceed with their appear on the refusal to recuse by Judge DeGabrielle before the supreme court’s full bench.