LAZ applies to join Post case as ‘advisor of court’

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 12:46:09 +0000

By NATION REPORTER

Inspite of protests from members, the Law Association of Zambia has now applied to join the Post Newspapers in Liquidation case as amicus curia, a friend and advisor of the court.

This is in addition to its previously hotly contested decision to retain and pay legal fees for Nchima Nchito who is charged with impersonation for masquarading as Lawyer for Post Newspaper. Some lawyers have challenged the LAZ decision to join the Post in Liquidation court case at a time when the association was facing divisions in their handling of a related matter involving former Post lawyers, Nchima Nchito, SC.

LAZ president Linda Kasonde filed into the High Court summons for an order for a joinder as a friend of the court following what they purported to be a matter of public interest, stating that LAZ “has sufficient interest in the substance, hearing and determination of this matter”.

She said going through the court documents, it was revealed that a notice to raise preliminary issue confirmed serious matters involving the independence and objectivity of the Judge in Charge of the case, Mr Justice Sunday Nkonde, which may affect the proper administration of justice in the matter.

“That perusal of the affidavit in support of the notice to raise a preliminary issue confirms that the same raises serious matters touching on the independence and objectivity of the presiding Puisne Judge in this case, Mr Justice Sunday Nkonde, which may affect the proper administration of the case herein. “That in light with the foregoing, the Law Association of Zambia in line with its statutory mandate under CAP 31, convened a special council meeting on 20th February 2017 at which it was resolved that the matter be investigated and acted upon in the interest of justice,” she said.