Imboela gets final chance to secure a lawyer or represent self in defematory case against Hamasaka

National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, Saboi Imboela, has been given a final chance to secure legal representation in a defamatory case, failure to which she would have to represent herself.

Imboela, who pleaded not guilty to two counts of libel, had sought an adjournment to finalise her legal team, but the prosecution objected, citing delays and judicial time-wasting

However, Lusaka Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya granted the adjournment, warning Imboela that she would have to proceed without counsel if she failed to secure legal representation by the next sitting on July 9, 2024.

The case involved Imboela’s alleged publication of defamatory statements against State House Media Director Clayson Hamasaka on her Facebook page between September 9 and 10, 2022.

Imboela argued that she needed time to finalise her legal team and payment, while the prosecution contended that she was deliberately delaying the case.

The magistrate ruled that Imboela had sufficient time to engage a lawyer and should have filed a notice if she needed more time.

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