Fri, 09 Jun 2017 14:44:51 +0000
By CHARLES MUSONDA
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema and his five co-accused persons have been formally committed to the High Court for treason trial.
Principal Resident Magistrate David Simusamba committed the accused persons yesterday following an agreement between defence lawyers and the State on Tuesday this week.
The agreement was struck after the defence opted not to pursue the judicial review Mr. Simusamba granted
them to establish the legality of committing accused persons to the High Court on committal certificates signed on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lilian Shawa-Siyunyi by her subordinates.
State Advocate Chimbeka Sakala yesterday invited Mr. Simusamba to commit the accused persons to the High Court for trial on the certificate of committal dated May 3, 2017 and in response defence lawyer Vincent Malambo said defence counsels had nothing to say.
Mr. Simusamba then committed the accused persons, rousing forlorn faces on most court attendees in the gallery.
The case now has to await allocation to a judge and setting of trial dates.
And Hichilema said the accused persons were more than ready for trial adding that there was need for the matter to be allocated to a dedicated judge who would ensure a fair and speedy trial.
“We were arrested because of hatred and vindictiveness. We were brutalized and we know this case was not investigated,” Hichilema said.
