Frank Mbeta
Frank Farouk Mbeta | |
|---|---|
| Attorney General of Malawi | |
| Assumed office 27 October 2025 | |
| President | Peter Mutharika |
| Preceded by | Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Malawian |
| Party | Democratic Progressive Party |
| Education | University of Malawi |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Frank Farouk Mbeta is a Malawian lawyer known for representing clients in several high-profile cases and for his involvement in legal controversies in Malawi. He has served as Attorney General of the Republic of Malawi since October 2025.
Career
[edit]Mbeta gained national attention for serving as one of the lead lawyers representing President Peter Mutharika during the 2019 presidential election case before the Constitutional Court.[1]
He has handled commercial and constitutional litigation in his private practice in Blantyre.[2][3]
In October 2025, he was appointed as the 21st Attorney General of the Republic of Malawi.[4]
Legal issues and controversies
[edit]In October 2020, the Anti‑Corruption Bureau announced it planned to prosecute Mbeta for alleged bribery dating to 2015, accusing him of offering 2 million Kwacha to an MRA ICT manager to delete files.[5] He has also been linked by media reports to allegations of judge-shopping and improper influence in commercial disputes.[6] Local media also reported that he withdrew from defending foreign minister George Chaponda in a corruption-related case in 2017 under uncertain circumstances.[7] However, no actual conviction was made.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Mutharika's lawyer Mbeta hopes Constitution Court will discontinue election case". 19 June 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "Lawyer Frank Mbeta's success displeases others as Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda falls victim". The Maravi Post. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Kasalika, Johnny (14 May 2024). "Thin plastics legal obstacle removed". Nation Online. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Kalumpha, Aubrey (28 October 2025). "Mutharika appoints Attorney, Press Secretary". Malawi Institute of Journalism. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "ACB to prosecute lawyer Mbeta on alleged bribery charges". 7 November 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Reporter, Nyasa Times (14 April 2016). "Lawyer Mbeta, Judge Kenyatta implicated in scam: Sheriffs close down AHCX over K2 bn debt - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Reporter, Nyasa Times (16 November 2017). "Lawyer Mbeta discharges himself in Chaponda corruption-related charges - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Reporter, Nyasa Times (27 April 2015). "Lawyer faults ACB boss for 'flirting' with Chief Justice in K2m probe - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". Retrieved 28 October 2025.