Gold pilot applies for Habeas Corpus

By GRACE CHAILE

THE Pilot at the centre of the raging gold scandal, Patrick Kawanu, has filed an application for habeas corpus before the Lusaka High Court, demanding that he be granted bail for the offense of giving false information to a public officer.

According to an affidavit in support of ex-parte notice of motion for writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum, Mr Kawanu’s lawyer, Bwalya Muchimba of messrs. J&M Advocates, contends that the offense with which the applicant (Mr Kawanu) is charged with is bondable and bailable. 

Mr Muchimba said his client has readily available sureties to secure his release and attendance at any competent court. 

He said Mr Kawanu has been subjected to inhumane living conditions at Kabwata Police Station since last week.

“That the combined team of police and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers has not indicated valid reason for the continued detention of the applicant on a bondable and bailable charge and particularly also has the applicant has indicated that he has sureties who would secure his attendance at Court whenever the State needs their attendance,” he said. 

Mr Muchimba said the continued detention of Mr Kawanu is unreasonable and unconstitutional in the circumstances.

Mr Kawanu, Lusaka business man Shedrick Kasanda, Mahogany Air Chief Executive Officer, Jim Belemu, and Oswald Diangamo and nine other foreign nationals were last week arrested in connection with the gold bullion and the US$5.7 million scandal at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. Mr Kawanu is said to have been flying the in-transit private Jet. 

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