By MILLENNIUM REPORTER
The Kawambwa subordinate court has issued a bench warrant against Kawambwa Central Member of Parliament Nickson Chilangwa for absconding three court sessions.
This is in a case in which Pambashe Member of Parliament Ronald Chitotela, Chilangwa, Kawambwa Mayor Chifumbe Kalumba, Kunda Chitotela, Chabu Chitotela, Davy Kaniki and Charity Chibwe Musanto have been charged with one count of arson, threatening violence, malicious damage to property and four counts of assault.
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Magistrate Martin Namushi sitting in the Kawambwa subordinate court yesterday issued the warrant and ordered that Chilangwa should appear before the court on May 26, 2023 at 09:00hrs.
This was after the surety for Chilangwa informed the court that he had filed a notice of adjournment to June 26, 2023 as he was attending a court session in the Lusaka High Court.
Magistrate Namushi however declined to adjourn the matter, saying the date for the court sittings were agreed upon by all the parties.
He argued that Mr Chilangwa on April 10, 2023 failed to appear before the court because he was unwell thereby adjoining the case to May 22, 2023.
Mr. Namushi explained that, on Monday May 22, the accused again failed to appear before the court because he was attending to another matter before the Lusaka High Court, thereby adjourning the matter to yesterday.
Mr. Namushi also argued that, yesterday Mr Chilangwa could not appear before the court as the notice filed in the court indicated that he will be appearing before the Lusaka High Court at 14hours. He said he was left with no option but to issue a bench warrant against him so that he could appear before the court on Friday. Mr. Namushi indicated that, if the notice of adjournment was within the same days agreed by all parties, he would have graciously granted the adjournment. Trial continues on Friday.
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