BY LUCY PHIRI
THE Anti-Corruption Commission has objected Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo’s bail on grounds that they have to verify his sureties who include Matero member of Parliament, Miles Sampa and Chama South MP, Davison Mung’andu.
Mr Lusambo who met bail conditions was however denied his freedom because the Commission maintained that he be remanded in custody until all formalities were concluded.
PF Matero Member of Parliament Hon Miles Sampa and his Chama South counterpart, Hon Davison Mung’andu were brought before Court as the Kabushi lawmaker’s sureties.
But the ACC told Lusambo’s lawyers that they did not know the sureties and rejected the letters saying they needed to accurately verify with the National Assembly.
The magistrate granted the Kabushi lawmaker a K20, 000 cash bail with two working sureties.
This is in a matter in which Lusambo pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to interfere with a witness Contrary to section 112(1) as read with Section 389(1) of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
When the matter came up yesterday for plea before magistrate Nthandose Chabala, Lusambo’s lawyer Makebi Zulu applied for bail arguing that his client was of fixed abode and not a flight risk.
“Mr Lusambo has not breached his bail conditions in other cases which are before court,’’ he said
In response, the State prosecutors led by Daniel Ngwira objected and asked that they adduce evidence by way of an affidavit.
However, magistrate Chabala granted Lusambo bail in the sum of K20, 000 and ordered that Lusambo’s sureties should be based in Lusaka and bound in the sum of K200, 000 in their own recognizance.
She also ordered Lusambo to provide proof of his residence by way of a utility bill.
Ms Chabala also said she would not allow the state to adduce affidavit evidence which they wanted to produce in the matter before trial.
It is alleged in count one that Lusambo on a date unknown but between February 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022 in Lusaka in order to obstruct the due course of justice did endeavour to dissuade or prevent Mr Cosmas Kapula Chalusa to give evidence as a witness before a court of law.
Allegations in count two and three are that Lusambo between April 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022 in Lusaka tried to dissuade or prevent Mr Ernest Sumani and Mr Mundia Mataa to give evidence as witnesses before a court of law.
The court set for June 27 and 28 for commencement of trial and Lusambo was remanded in custody until bail conditions were met.
