By LUCY PHIRI
LUSAKA Senior Magistrate Nthandose Chabala who is among magistrates transferred out of Lusaka, has reallocated the matter in which Kabushi PF Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo is accused of attempting to interfere with a witness.
When the matter came up for commencement of trial yesterday at the Lusaka Magistrate Court, Ms Chabala said she will no longer handle the matter and she therefore sent it to the Chief Resident Magistrate, Mr Dominic Makalicha for reallocation to another court.
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.
Previously, Ms Chabala granted Lusambo a K20, 000 cash bail with two working sureties and ordered that his sureties should be based in Lusaka and bound in the sum of K20, 000 but in their own recognisance.
It is alleged in count one that Lusambo on a date unknown but between February 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022 in Lusaka with intent to obstruct the due course of justice did endeavour to dissuade or prevent 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 did endeavour to dissuade or prevent Ernest Sumani and Mundia Mataa to give evidence as witnesses before a court of law.
The court has since adjourned the matter to June 10, 2022 for reallocation and commencement of trial.
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