Alleged Corruption: Former First Lady, Lungu, others to appear in court on Friday

Former First lady, Esther Lungu, is on Friday expected to take plea before the Lusaka Magistrate Court, in a matter where she is jointly charged with four others for alleged theft of motor vehicles and possession of US$400,000 suspected to have been obtained through criminal activities.

The four who are jointly charged with the former First lady are two police officers, James Phiri and Lee Chisulo, Kapambwe Lungu and Catherine Banda.

The five would appear before Magistrate Mbuywana Sinvula, for possible plea.

The accused were, however, not before court Thursday during allocation of the matter.

But counsel Charles Changano explained to the media in an interview that the former first lady and others were not before court because, according to the police, by the bond granted to them, they are to appear on Friday.

According to the indictment seen by Zambia Monitor, in count one, the accused persons between August 9, 2021 and September 30, 2022 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together, did steal a motor vehicle namely a Mitsubishi Canter registration number BAV 5282 valued at K320,000.00, the property of Elizabeth Change Phiri.

While in count two, allegations are that the five on the same date, in Lusaka, did steal a Toyuta Runnex registration number BLA 9772 valued at K 110,000.00 the property of Elizabeth Change Phiri.

In count three, it is alleged that Esther jointly and whilst a together with the other four suspects, between August 9, 2021 and September 30, 2022 did steal a Toyota Alex registration number BAV 3986 valued at K 110,000.00 the property of Furhana Patel.

In count four, the former First lady, Chisulo, Lungu and Banda on the same date in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together, did steal a Certificate of tittle relating to stand No. S/LUSAKA/0003/2977 located in Libala Lusaka Water Works valued at K 1 ,050,000.00, the property of Elizabeth Change Phiri.

And, in the last count it is alleged that the ex-first lady between August 9, 2021 and September 30, 2022 in Lusaka, had in her possession or concealed money amounting to US$ 400,000 United State, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

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