Party leader, Pule, wants Magistrate Munyinya to remove herself from his seditious case trial

Christian Democratic Party leader, Dan Pule, has requested that Lusaka Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya recuse herself from his case, citing potential bias.

Pule, represented by lawyers Sakwiba Sikota and Chifumu Banda, both State Counsels, doubted he would receive a fair trial due to Magistrate Munyinya’s roots in Southern Province, which is part of the Zambezi region central to the case.

Pule is charged with seditious practices. On Thursday, his defense team argued that the magistrate’s connection to the region may raise questions about her impartiality, given the sensitive nature of the case.

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They cited Section 6(2)(a) of the Judicial Code of Conduct, which requires judges to avoid any appearance of bias.

Pule believes that recusal is necessary to maintain public confidence in the judicial process.

The ruling on the recusal application is set for June 21, 2024.

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