Ex-Minister Lusambo has case to answer, Lusaka court rules over allegations of corrupt enrichment

Former Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, has been found with a case to answer in two counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

This ruling comes just 24 hours after Lusambo and his wife, Nancy Manase, were found with a case to answer in 10 counts of concealing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, tax evasion, and conspiracy to defraud.

Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate, Davies Chibwili, made the ruling on Tuesday, stating that the evidence presented established a prima facie case against Lusambo.

According to the investigations officer’s analysis, Lusambo’s financial records showed a discrepancy between his legitimate income and the value of his properties, raising suspicions that the properties may be proceeds of crime.

Lusambo faces two counts of possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, contrary to section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.

The properties in question include an incomplete block of six flats in Chamba Valley, Lusaka, valued at K22.8 million, against Lusambo’s known legitimate income of K8.5 million.

Lusambo is expected to open his defense next month.

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