By 
Former Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, has filed an application before the High Court’s Economic and Financial Crimes Division, seeking the dismissal of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) request to seize his properties, including his Chamba Valley residence.
Lusambo argued that the ACC’s case was based on suspicion rather than concrete evidence and lacks the legal merit required for forfeiture.
The ACC is seeking to forfeit Lusambo’s Chamba Valley house, six unfinished flats in the same area, and four additional houses in Silverest Gardens.
The commission has cited Lusambo, his wife Nancy Manase—listed as the owner of some properties—and interested parties Mukuka Munkonge and ZDA-Henan Guoji Development Company Limited.
In his affidavit, filed through his lawyer, Lusambo contended that the ACC had failed to prove that the properties in question were obtained through illicit means.
He references legal precedents, including Kenya’s Asset Recovery Agency v. Pamela Aboo and Namibia’s Teckla Nandjila Lameck v. President of Namibia, both of which stress that forfeiture must be based on evidence rather than mere suspicion.
Lusambo disputes the ACC’s reliance on property valuations as an indication of criminal activity, arguing that this does not meet the legal threshold for forfeiture.
He further alleged that the ACC has misrepresented the size and value of his properties to inflate their worth, citing an estimated K17 million valuation for his Chamba Valley house as exaggerated.
He has submitted independent valuation reports that he claims offer a more accurate assessment.
Detailing his financial background, Lusambo states that between 2007 and 2009, he worked as a sales professional at G-TV, earning a substantial income. After the company’s closure, he ventured into business while also serving as National Youth Chairperson for Mobilization under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), a position he says provided him with significant allowances.
He maintained that his earnings enabled him to legally acquire and develop the contested properties.
He attached evidence of land transactions, payments, and construction contracts to support his claims.
Additionally, he denies allegations of using force or coercion in acquiring property, specifically addressing claims made by Washington Mwenya Zimba, stating that all his land acquisitions followed due legal and financial processes.
Regarding the properties in Silverest Gardens, Lusambo states that some remain unpaid for and are still registered under their original owner.
He further explains his transactions with businessman Mbachi Nkwazi, who assisted with payments, and reveals that a Jeep Cherokee was part of a property transaction.
Lusambo argues that the ACC’s attempt to link his assets to criminal activities is baseless and built on an incomplete financial analysis.
He highlighted that even the ACC’s own calculations of his earnings between 2016 and 2021 show a total income of K6,144,858.90, demonstrating his financial capacity to acquire the properties legally.
Asserting that justice should be based on evidence rather than speculation, Lusambo accuses the ACC of attempting to unjustly deprive him of his lawfully acquired assets.
He urged the court to dismiss the forfeiture application, maintaining that the allegations against him and his wife are unfounded.
Lusambo is currently serving a four-year prison sentence at Mwembeshi Maximum Security Prison for corruption.
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