By 
Socialist Party National Youth Secretary, Elias Gabriel Banda, has pleaded not guilty to proposing violence or breaches of the law to assemblies contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Banda, a former student at the University of Zambia (UNZA) who also held the position of UNZASU President during the 2021/2022 Academic Year, on Thursday denied proposing violence or breaches of the law to assemblies.
Banda is accused of inciting violence and criminal trespass, tied to the incident that occurred at the University of Zambia between September 18 and 19, 2023.
Meanwhile, Lusaka magistrate, Trevor Kasanda, granted Banda a bail of K50,000 in his own recognition with two working sureties in the like-some.
This was after one of the defence lawyers made an application to the court to allow his client be granted bail persuant to section 123 subsection 1 of the criminal procedure code of the laws of Zambia.
One of Banda’s lawyers, Norman Siwila submitted before court that it was his prayer that his client be granted bail on grounds that the offense was bailable and the court should exercise its discretion.
“The court should exercise its discretion and grant my client bail, he is willing to follow procedure, he is of fixed abode and granting him bail will not prejudice the state in anyway,” said Siwila.
In response, the state did not object to the application but stated that the accused should leave all his addresses before court.
In this matter, Banda, 33, is charged with proposing violence or breaches of the law to assemblies Contrary to Section 91(1)(a)(b)(c) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on September 18, 2023 in Lusaka, without lawful excuse, to the University of Zambia (UNZA) Assembly did make a statement to cause an act calculated to lead to destruction or damage to any property.
Earlier, the police had arrested Banda in connection to allegations of inciting violence and criminal trespass during the recent riots that unfolded at his former educational institution.
The court has since adjourned the matter to November 23, 2023 for commencement of trial and ordered that the accused remain in custody until he meets the bail conditions.
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