Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 46-year old Allan Chigodola to two years in prison for selling somebody else’s piece of land in apparent scam.
Chigodola was on Wednesday September 28 2022 found guilty of fraud other than false pretence.
State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Vincent Ntalawe said the convict, between August and September 2021, defrauded a certain man of K750, 000 cash after offering him a piece of land at Sikenala Village Traditional Authority Chadza in the district.
When the victim came to cultivate the land, he was immediately confronted by the rightful owner, who reported to the police, leading Chigodola’s arrest.
In his trial, he pleaded not guilty and the State paraded four witnesses to prove its case.
In mitigation, Chigodola appealed to the court for leniency, saying he was looking after a physically challenged child.
However, the State asked the same court to slap the accused with a harsh sentence, arguing such cases are on the rise in Lilongwe.
Passing his sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda agreed with the State and sentenced Chigodola to two years imprisonment with hard labour.
He said this could act as a deterrent.
