Lusaka | October 28, 2025 – The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has today delivered judgment in one of Zambia’s most complex financial crime cases, convicting six men, three Zambians and two Ugandans, including Patrick Kafula (38), for orchestrating a sophisticated cyber-theft that siphoned over K14 million from Atlas Mara Bank Limited.The convicted are Patrick Kafula, Vincent Ssempejji, Sylvester Apuli, Rashid Kyagulanyi, Austin Daka, and Makosana Ndolo. Evidence presented during the trial showed that between December 2019 and July 2020, the accused deliberately and unlawfully accessed Atlas Mara Bank’s core systems, transferring millions of kwacha into 79 internal beneficiary accounts through a carefully coordinated operatioThe prosecution, led by Deputy Chief State Advocate Gracillia Chipulu-Mulenga, Deputy Chief State Advocate in the Taxation and Financial Crimes Department (TFCD) of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and supported by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC)’s Anti-Money Laundering

Lobito, Angola | October, 2025 – The Africa Prosecutors’ Association (APA) convened its 18th Annual General Meeting and Conference in the coastal city of Lobito, Benguela Province, Republic of Angola, from 15th to 17th October 2025, under the timely and forward-looking theme “Digital Justice and Technological Innovation in Africa: Emerging Technologies at the Service of Justice.” Hosted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Angola, the high-level gathering brought together Attorneys General, Directors of Public Prosecutions, senior prosecutors, and justice sector leaders from across the continent to deliberate on the transformative potential of digital technologies in the administration of justice. Zambia was proudly represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, S.C., accompanied by Ms. Makumba Gwendolyn Kashishi, Principal State Advocate, and Mr. Kayoka Sifali, Senior State Advocate, all from the National

Lusaka | October 17, 2025 – In a major blow, the Lusaka subordinate Court has denied former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba bail pending appeal and stripped Joseph Malanji of his multimillion-kwacha assets. Chief Resident Magistrate Irene Wishimanga delivered the decisive verdict in the case of The People vs. Yamba and Malanji, ordering the property forfeited to the State.The ruling reinforces the strength of the convictions secured by the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and confirms the principle that the successful dissipation of public funds will be met with the full force of the law.Following the duo’s convictions and sentencing by the Lusaka Magistrate Court last month, Fredson Yamba filed an application for bail pending the outcome of his appeal.In a decisive ruling, Chief Resident Magistrate Wishimanga dismissed the application. The court found that the applicant failed to demonstrate any

Lusaka, Zambia – October 14, 2025 – In a coordinated effort to enhance Zambia’s legal and institutional response to serious financial and economic crimes, the Steering Committee of the Inter-Agency Framework on Collaboration and Coordination in Asset Recovery held its quarterly meeting today at the Office of the Auditor General in Lusaka.The high-level session brought together the heads of Zambia’s law enforcement and regulatory institutions, confirming the country’s strong, collective stance against complex financial, environmental, and transnational crimes.The meeting was chaired by Auditor General Dr. Ron Mwambwa, who stood in for the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chairperson of the Steering Committee, who was attending to other official duties.The Committee’s agenda focused on several pressing challenges requiring coordinated, cross-agency intervention. Although many deliberations remain classified, among the less sensitive issues tabled included the need to curb illegal mining operations and

Today marked a historic milestone as the learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, officially launched the first-ever Prosecutors’ Guidelines for Children in the Justice System during the joint launch of the Child Justice Institutional Framework. This landmark resource is designed to strengthen the capacity of prosecutors to effectively manage child victims, witnesses, and children in conflict with the law, in line with the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022. The Guidelines are grounded in victim-centred and trauma-informed approaches, with a strong emphasis on upholding the best interests of the child at every stage of the justice process.In addition, the DPP unveiled the second edition of the Prosecutors’ Handbook on Sexual Violence. This updated version incorporates key provisions of the Children’s Code Act to ensure that prosecutors are well-equipped to handle cases involving child victims and

UNDERSTANDING HOW CHARGES ARE DETERMINED IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONSLusaka | October 8, 2025 – Following public interest in the recent case involving the death of Mr. Enock Simfukwe Kasengele in Kabwe where Ms. Maria Zaloumis and four others were arrested and initially charged with murder, questions have emerged around how criminal charges are determined, and what informs those decisions within the justice system. Without delving into the specific details of the Kabwe case, which is yet to go to trial, this article seeks to offer clarity on how the legal process works and how the roles of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) come together to ensure that justice is guided by evidence, law and process, not speculation or pressure. Addressing MisconceptionsMuch of the recent public commentary and speculation surrounding this high-profile case has implied that something

High Court Orders Forfeiture of Fraud-Linked Funds to the State in Major Economic Crime judgment Lusaka | October 3, 2025 – The Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court has ordered the forfeiture of ZMW 8,142,215.04 to the State, after finding the funds to be the proceeds of a fraudulent gold transaction involving a Zambian company and a foreign buyer based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The funds, held in FNB Account Number 62908248463, were traced to Lusaka Gold and Platinum Refinery Limited, which claimed to be exporting gold to Smolenski Trading LLC, a company based in Dubai and formerly operating under the name Epitychia General Trading LLC. Investigations revealed that the Zambian company was not licenced to trade or process minerals and had no valid export permits under the Mines and Minerals Development Act. The court

Lusaka | October 2, 2025 – In a major legal development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court, on September 30, 2025, granted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) leave to appeal out of time in the controversial case involving Honey Bee Pharmacy Limited, and seven others. This opens the door for a long-delayed challenge to the 2021 acquittal of former Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya and Honey Bee Pharmacy Limited that has fueled years of legal wrangling and public outcry over procurement integrity and accountability in Zambia’s health sector. Also named as Respondents in this case are Wilson Lungu, Bonaventure Chilinde, Zakir Husen Motala, Chomba Kaoma, Imran Lunat, and Abdurraut Abdurrahim Motola. No Plea. No Trial. But Acquitted. The case dates back to January 19, 2021, when a private prosecution was initiated in the Subordinate