Court jails Musician for abducting minor

Mangochi senior resident magistrate court has sentenced a 23 year old musician popularly known as Bandera Wachiyao to three years imprisonment for abducting a 14 year old form 2 girl student

The offence contravenes section 136 of the Penal code

The court heard from prosecution officer Amos Mwase that on the night of January 2 2025 Bandera picked up the girl from Mpondas area for two days

Appearing in court the convict who was represented by Counsel Patrick Debwe pleaded not guilty prompting the state to parade 4 witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt

In mitigation he cited immaturity and asked the court to consider his youthful age and the potential to reform

in his submission prosecutor Mwase emphasized that as a youthful musician the convict holds considerable influence and is viewed as a role model by many young people  therefore his actions deserved custodial sentence

Senior resident magistrate Muhammad Chande therefore ordered Bandera to serve a three year jail term to deter others from exploiting young girls