EEF leader, Tayali, placed on interpol red notice for absconding court sessions

Leader of Economic and Equity Party (EEP), Chilufya Tayali, is to be put on Interpol red notice, after the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court issued a bench warrant following his continued absence from court sessions.

Tayali, who was last month abandoned by his lawyers, Messrs Joseph Chirwa and Company, has reportedly been elusive and absconding sessions.

When the case in which Tayali was accused of perpetrating hate speech against the Bemba people came before Lusaka resident magistrate, Mbuywana Sinvula, he was not present in court.

Prosecuting officer, Inspector Mulife Liswaniso, explained to the Court that the earlier bench warrant was not executed as his whereabouts were not clearly known.

Liswaniso stated that Interpol, through the regional office in Zimbabwe had been informed about Tayali.

“We are still waiting for feedback from Interpol head office in France, for the accused person to be put on red notice. We request that a bench warrant be issued so we can also inform our counterparts, Interpol, who are handling this matter. We pray that the matter be adjourned to May 29, 2024, for return of bench warrant,” he explained.

Magistrate Sinvula granted the adjournment.

Tayali is facing one count of expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons because of race contrary to Section 70(1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

He was alleged to have on January 26, 2023 in a live broadcast on his Facebook page handle, ‘EEF President Chilufya Tayali,’ uttered the words “us Bembas are useful idiots”, expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for Bemba people because of tribe and place of origin.

Tayali had also been missing sessions in a matter he was charged with harassing Chief Mukuni via the internet before Lusaka principal Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya.

The Magistrate had issued a bench warrant which was returnable on April 24, 2024.

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