HAVE FAITH IN FAITH-ACC DEAL, SAYS LAWYER
By ADRIAN MWANZA
NOTHING is sinister about the deal signed between Ms Faith Musonda and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) because it is provided in the law, says renowned lawyer Sakwiba Sikota.
Mr Sikota said there was a provision in Section 80 of the Act which allowed the State to grant amnesty to accused persons in certain instances on condition that they admit wrongdoing and return what they wrongfully acquired through corrupt practices.
He said Ms Musonda had made a full disclosure of the monies in question and willingly surrendered the same to the State which prompted them to give her amnesty.
“People should not think there is something fishy or sinister with the whole deal as it is a normal thing which was enshrined in the law,” Mr Sikota said.
He however said that it was a two-way thing because an individual lost a lot of money but would not be prosecuted and even face jail time.
Mr Sikota said the government on the other hand gained a lot of money that could be channeled in various developmental areas.
On Thursday, the joint investigative team from the ACC, Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission and Financial Intelligence Centre concluded investigations involving Ms Musonda in which she was found in possession of K65, 333, 046 and US$57, 900.
The money was found in a house in Lusaka’s New Kasama area which has also been forfeited to the state.
Ms Musonda was charged with possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act No.19 of 2010.
The State, using Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012, entered into an undertaking not to institute criminal proceedings against Ms Musonda on condition that she fulfilled the requirements of Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No3. Of 2012, which she did.
HAVE FAITH IN FAITH-ACC DEAL, SAYS LAWYER
