Ex-Zambia Air Force commander files motion to block forfeiture of K91.4 million assets

General Eric Chimese, former Zambia Air Force commander, has filed a notice of motion to prevent the forfeiture of his assets, valued at K91.4 million, which are suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Chimese argued that the case is time-barred, as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) filed the application five years after discovering the properties.

His legal team raised crucial preliminary issues, including whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the matter and whether the prosecution provided adequate notice to interested parties, including his wife, Sharon Gray, and Chita Lodges Limited.

The assets in question include lucrative properties in Lusaka, Samsung television sets, and substantial cash amounts in various currencies.

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The estimated market value of these assets is staggering, with one property alone valued at K46.6 million.

Chimese’s affidavit revealed that the DPP was aware of the suspected tainted properties since July 2018 but only filed the forfeiture application on January 31, 2024, a delay of over five years.

He argued that this lapse rendered the application statute-barred and incompetent, necessitating its dismissal.

In his affidavit, Chimese opposed the application, arguing that the properties were acquired and built at fair value and that the DPP’s valuation reports reflect only the current market value, not the value at the time of construction.

“Particularly, in relation to property F/2303/Q, the applicant (DPP) has admitted that the said property is registered under Chita Lodges Limited, whose ownership was acquired long before I became the General at ZAF. Furthermore, I have never been in possession of or purchased this property from Chita Lodges Limited,” Chimese contended.

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