A Lilongwe court refused to dismiss charges against social media star Hannah Jabes known as Tamia Ja. She faces accusations of sharing someone's HIV status online without permission. Prosecutors also charge her with defaming a woman named Suzen Lawarence Makupa. Her lawyer Stanley Chirwa asked the court to throw out the case completely. Senior Resident Magistrate Shukrani Kumbani rejected the dismissal request.
The defense argued that prosecutors showed no real interest in moving forward with the trial. Kumbani said courts cannot dismiss cases before hearings actually start. He criticized the prosecution team for delays and poor case preparation. The magistrate told prosecutors to organize their documents and prepare properly. Court officials scheduled June 26 for Tamia Ja to enter her plea.
The state wanted the accused to say whether she admits or denies the charges. Defense lawyers objected because they had not received all case documents about the alleged victim. They claimed the charges had changed since her first court appearance. Prosecutors said the main parts of the case stayed the same despite some modifications. The court must formally inform Tamia Ja of all charges before she can enter a plea.
The defense argued that prosecutors showed no real interest in moving forward with the trial. Kumbani said courts cannot dismiss cases before hearings actually start. He criticized the prosecution team for delays and poor case preparation. The magistrate told prosecutors to organize their documents and prepare properly. Court officials scheduled June 26 for Tamia Ja to enter her plea.
The state wanted the accused to say whether she admits or denies the charges. Defense lawyers objected because they had not received all case documents about the alleged victim. They claimed the charges had changed since her first court appearance. Prosecutors said the main parts of the case stayed the same despite some modifications. The court must formally inform Tamia Ja of all charges before she can enter a plea.
