By 
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the trial of FDD President, Edith Nawakwi, who Monday failed to appear before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court due to illness.
The embattled politician, accused of kidnapping and threatening to kill Pheluna and Milton Hatembo, is reportedly admitted to the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH).
The trial, which was scheduled to continue before Magistrate Amy Masoja, hit a snag when Nawakwi’s defence lawyer, Tresford Chali, informed the court that his client had been unwell since Sunday night.
According to Chali, she had initially been admitted to Forest Park Hospital over the weekend before being transferred to UTH.
“Given the circumstances, we were unable to obtain her admission certificate last night but will endeavor to provide it from UTH,” Chali said, adding, “It’s difficult to determine if she will recover in time for the next scheduled court dates. We therefore request an adjournment.”
The state, ready to proceed with the trial, raised no objections but voiced concerns about the delays.
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“We did not make sufficient progress at the last sitting, and we were prepared to move forward today and tomorrow,” the prosecution noted.
“We request that adequate trial days be scheduled to ensure the case is concluded.”
Magistrate Masoja accentuated the importance of supporting claims of illness with documentation, stating, “In the interest of justiceand considering one cannot predict their own illness.I direct the defence to produce hospital records.”
The matter was adjourned to February 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, 2025, for continuation of the trial.
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