By LUCY PHIRI
THE highly publicised case of Provisional Liquidator of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Milingo Lungu accused of laundering more than $2 million by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) failed to take off because the prosecution were not present at court and the presiding magistrate was not aware of the matter.
Magistrate Dominic Makalichi said he was not ready to proceed with the matter because he was not aware of the date on which the matter was allocated and did not receive any case to do with Mr Lungu.
Lawyer representing Milingo, Sakwiba Sikota expressed displeasure in the manner in which the matter was handled by the state.
“The prosecutors are not present which is disrespectful. We were given this date to appear before court, it is not right for the state not to be present. This has really inconvenienced my client,’’ Mr Sikota said.
In this matter, allegations are that Lungu, and with other persons unknown, on dates unknown but between May 22, 2019 and August 15, 2021 did engage in theft involving K110.4m and US$250, 000.00.
According to DEC, further, after the Commission concluded investigations in some of the matters pertaining to the case at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc it decided to charge and arrest Mr Milimo Lungu, a male aged 43 of Plot 22763, Mulungushi Road in Roma, Lusaka for obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to section 308 as read with section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, Theft contrary to section 280 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, and money laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No 14 of 2001 as read with the Amendment Act No. 44 of 2010.
It is also alleged that Lungu obtained money by false pretenses amounting to US$2,200,000.00 and he has also been charged for money laundering for the said amounts.
The money is said to have come into his possession by virtue of being the Provisional Liquidator for Konkola Copper Mines.
The matter has been pushed to next week Wednesday.
