Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:26:47 +0000
By Justina Mulenga
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has acquitted National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister, Godfridah Sumaili of contempt charges.
This was when the matter came for commencement of trial yesterday before Senior Resident Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga.
Magistrate Wishimanga acquitted Reverend Sumaili after state advocate Chimbeka Sakala informed her that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was offering no evidence against the accused person.
“After sitting with the DPP to analyse the purported evidence that was relied upon for the charges faced by the accused, I now wish to inform the court on behalf of the DPP that the state henceforth offers no evidence as against the accused Godfridah Sumaili,” said Sakala.
And after her acquittal, Rev Sumaili, who was with her husband and plain-clothed police officers, avoided journalists from getting pictures and drove away.
Last Tuesday, the DDP took over prosecution of the case in which UPND president Hakainde Hichilema and five others instituted contempt proceedings against Rev Sumaili over remarks attributed to her that “HH pushed Lungu to the wall by not recognising his presidency” which was prejudicial to his treason case.
