NDOZO lodge proprietor Chrint Sichamba through his Lawyer Chanda Chizwe has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes court to adjourn his matter on grounds that he developed a seizure and is currently seeking medical attention.
Mr Chizwe further informed the court that Sichamba was unable to take a plea as he was at the hospital for review.
This is a matter in which Sichamba, his wife Eudora Nambela and son, David Sichamba, are facing corruption charges involving over K781 million and more than $10 million.
“The absence of Sichamba and his wife Nambela is because he has a seizure and was supposed to go for review today and here is a medical document indicating the same. His wife is the one who always takes care of him so she is not here before court as she has been accompanying him to the hospital. We do not know the status of our client as the situation keeps getting worse,” said Chizwe.
Details in all the counts are that Sichamba between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021 allegedly did possess properties ranging from bare land, double and single storey buildings, houses, flats, warehouse, shops, office space, chicken run, and piggery and fish ponds. These properties are valued at K287.2 million and are all located in Lusaka and Chilanga districts.
He also possessed K11 million and US $5.4 million in his bank account domiciled at Investrust Bank PLC and Standard Chartered Bank suspected to be proceeds of crime.
It is also alleged that his wife Nambela acquired properties valued at K287 million and cash in the bank amounting to K1 million. The properties include houses, shops, offices, warehouses and motor vehicles.
Sichamba’s son David also as a director of Mulozi Trading Limited is allegedly charged with the properties valued at K195.1 million suspected to be proceeds of crime.
However magistrate Irene Wishimanga said the absence of the accused person needed to be represented by the sureties, who are supposed to give an explanation.
“I will adjourn this matter because we don’t know the status of the accused person and any medical report should be brought by the sureties, let the matter come on February 15, 2023,’’ she said.
The accused persons are expected to take fresh plea as two companies had been joined to the matter and more charges added.
