In a dramatic turn of events, the highly anticipated trial of Christian Democratic Party president Danny Pule failed to commence today as expected. Pule faces charges of Seditious Practices. The prosecution was poised to present its case, but Pule’s legal team raised a preliminary issue, alleging bias on the part of the court due to its connection to the Zambezi region, which is at the centre of the alleged charge. According to an affidavit filed in support of the preliminary issue raised, the deponent, Mr. Danny Pule, states that: “Records before this honourable Court will show that I have been charged with an Offence of Seditious practices… The particulars of the Offence are that it is alleged that I uttered seditious words to promote feelings of ill will or hostility between different communities or different parts of a community.” He

Vienna, Austria, 16/05/25 – In a landmark presentation at the 33rd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Zambia’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, unveiled the transnational dimensions of illicit mining and its far-reaching implications for the country’s development. Illicit financial flows in Zambia’s mining sector, particularly in copper, have long been a thorn in the side of the government, with estimates suggesting a staggering $12.5 billion loss between 2013 and 2015 alone. The country’s rich copper reserves have driven economic growth, but the sector’s vulnerability to illicit activities has hindered progress. DPP Phiri’s paper, “Unveiling the Transnational Dimensions of Illicit Mining: Exploring Illicit Financial Flows in Zambia’s Mining Sector,” exposed the intricate web of mechanisms used to siphon funds, including transfer pricing manipulation, profit shifting, and false accounting. He highlighted the involvement

FORMER PRESIDENTIAL AIDE AMOS CHANDA CONVICTED OF STEALING COURT RECORD Amos Chanda, former Special Assistant to 6th Republican President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was convicted on charges of stealing and destroying a court record. The verdict was delivered on Friday, May 10th 2023, by Lusaka Senior Magistrate, Ireen Wishimanga, marking an end to a rather dramatic sequence of events.Chanda’s conviction stems from his act of stealing and destroying a court record between May 12, 2020, and October 1, 2022. The stolen record pertained to a case involving Chanda, alongside Walid El Nahas, who was former Intelligent Mobility Solutions (IMS) board chairman and Zindaba Soko, former RTSA chief executive officer. The trio faced 2 counts of Corrupt Practices with a Public Officer, contrary to Section 19 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, 2 counts of corrupt Practices by

The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has continued its commitment to supporting child witnesses and victims with the launch of its second child-friendly interview room, this time in Livingstone. This specially designed space provides a safe, welcoming, non-intimidating and comforting environment for children to share their stories and prepare for trial. The first room, launched in Kasama, has already made a profound impact, and the Livingstone room is set to do the same for the southern region of Zambia. The interview room designed to put children at ease, with an array of toys, books, and engaging activities to help them feel comfortable and build trust with NPA prosecutors. By prioritising the needs of young victims and witnesses, the NPA is revolutionising the way justice is served, one child-friendly room at a time! Strategically located in Livingstone, it ensures that children in

In a landmark legal development, a panel of three Economic and Financial Crimes Court Judges, has delivered a judgment in favour of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), resulting in the forfeiture of properties belonging to Chiyeso Lungu, daughter of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The case, centred on allegations of illicit property acquisition, unfolded with careful legal arguments from both sides. The DPP asserted that two properties, Stand No. L/9390 and Plot No. LUSAK/LN-79093/1, were suspected to be proceeds of crime, valued at K9,375,438.62 and situated in State Lodge. Chiyeso Lungu, a legal practitioner, contended that the properties were acquired legitimately using funds provided by her parents, Edgar and Esther Lungu. During the proceedings, Chiyeso Lungu emphasised that there was no law barring ownership of property exceeding known income levels. However, the court scrutinised the evidence presented, focusing on

In a notable legal development, a panel of three court of appeal judges comprising of the judge president and vice president have ruled in favour of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in a Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture case concerning properties linked to former First Lady Esther Nyawa Tembo Lungu. The DPP had filed an application seeking forfeiture of Property Number 9334/1, 9334/2, 9334/3, and 9334/4, comprising 15 Double Storey Flats in State Lodge, through a non-conviction-based process. The legal proceedings commenced on June 13, 2023, and were marked by legal complexities, including challenges related to jurisdiction and evidence compliance. Esther Nyawa Tembo Lungu, the interested party in this case, sought to halt the proceedings in the lower Court pending an appeal. However, the Court, after thorough deliberation, declined the application for a stay of proceedings. The Court’s decision centred on

In a compelling legal narrative that has captured national attention former judge of the Mongu High Court, Wilfred Muma on the 25th March, 2024, pleaded not guilty to charges of willful failure to comply with legal procedures during his tenure as Commissioner of Lands. The allegations, originating from the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, have thrust Muma into the spotlight, leading to his appearance before a panel of three judges at the Lusaka High Court. The crux of the matter revolves around accusations that Muma, in his capacity as Commissioner of Lands, orchestrated the cancellation of a certificate of title for a public property located in the heart of Lusaka, spanning a critical period between April 01 and December 31, 2018. This legal entanglement has not only piqued the interest of legal scholars and practitioners but has also sparked intense

DPP Emerges Victorious in Forfeiture Case Against Tasila Lungu. In a significant legal victory, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) emerged victorious in a Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture case against Tasila Lungu, daughter of Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The court’s ruling on the 19th of March, 2024, reaffirmed the DPP’s legal jurisdiction and upheld the integrity of the legal process. The genesis of this legal discourse traces back to the initiation of Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture proceedings by the DPP, represented as the Applicant. Supported by an affidavit sworn by senior investigations officer Emmanuel Khondowe of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the DPP unveiled a stark contrast between Tasila Lungu’s declared income and amassed assets. Emmanuel Khondowe’s affidavit presented a concise analysis of Tasila Lungu’s financial landscape, spanning her earnings as a Councilor in Kanyama constituency from 2016 to 2021. The

The Global Forum for Asset Recovery (GFAR) is a platform organised by Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) that empowers investigators and prosecutors responsible for identifying and tracing assets. It facilitates necessary cooperation with financial centres to recover and return assets. Star, a partnership between the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs, was established in 2007 to support countries in implementing Chapter V of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). StAR actively engages with ongoing cases, provides capacity building and technical assistance to countries, and participates in global conferences related to asset recovery. In September 2023, Zambia became a focus country in GFAR during a meeting in Vienna, featuring eight bilateral engagements with jurisdictions of interest. These interactions continued at the tenth session of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption,