By 
Former First Lady of Zambia, Esther Lungu, remained composed as she exited the Supreme Court following an Economic and Financial Crimes Court (EFCC) ruling that ordered the forfeiture of her 15 luxurious double-storey flats in State Lodge to the state.
The properties, valued at K41 million, were deemed tainted by the court.
Accompanied by her husband, former President Edgar Lungu, the former First Lady expressed no surprise at the judgment.
“It was expected, it is not surprising,” she remarked calmly.
Her husband echoed her sentiment, stating, “We knew the outcome, and this is the decision.”
The EFCC ruling, delivered behind closed doors at the Supreme Court, concluded that Esther Lungu failed to provide proof of income sources for the construction of the properties, despite her defense that they were matrimonial assets.
Her legal team, comprising Charles Changano and State Counsel Sakwiba Sikota, announced plans to appeal the decision.
Changano highlighted that the court had not addressed the argument that the flats were matrimonial property, criticizing its reliance on the Austin Liato case, which involved conviction-based forfeiture, in contrast to Esther’s non-conviction case.
Read More: DEC says former First Lady, Esther Lungu’s property in Lusaka seized
State Counsel Sikota further argued that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had not met the burden of proof required for the forfeiture.
In her defense, Mrs. Lungu maintained that the DPP violated the constitution by attempting to seize her properties without first proving her guilt through a trial.
She insisted that the flats were part of her matrimonial estate, developed by her husband, former President Edgar Lungu.
The DPP countered by arguing that Mrs. Lungu should provide documentary evidence, such as bank statements, to substantiate her claim that her husband financed the construction of the properties.
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