Malawi court dismisses 15-year lawsuit against Madonna charity

Anjimire Oponyo, sister of ex-president Joyce Banda, challenged her 2011 removal from the board of the singer's charity, Raising Malawi, following allegations of financial mismanagement.

Internal audits and media reports at the time accused local staff of squandering funds meant for Madonna's ambitious $15 million plan for an elite girls academy in the capital, Lilongwe, on luxury vehicles and golf club memberships.

Oponyo, the charity's chief executive, denied wrongdoing and sought damages for wrongful termination.

Judge Allan Hans Muhome threw out the case on Tuesday, ruling Oponyo had been "sleeping on her rights" by failing to deal with the matter for more than a decade, and describing her application as "frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of the court".

He also cited technical defects, including missing legal provisions and inadequate sworn statements.

The ruling closes a chapter that strained Madonna's relationship with Malawi, from where she has adopted four children and where she remains a prominent donor.

After the academy collapsed, Malawi's government -- then led by Banda, who was president between 2012 and 2014 -- issued a sharp rebuke of Madonna, accusing her of exaggerating her philanthropy and seeking special treatment during visits.

Madonna said she was saddened Banda had "chosen to release lies" and suggested the criticism stemmed from her dismissal of Oponyo.

Madonna has since shifted her philanthropy toward community schools and funded the Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery, the country’s first specialised paediatric hospital.