Judge Muma pleads not guilty to charges of abuse of authority, case adjourned to April, 18

Mongu High court Judge Wilfred Kopa Muma has appeared at the Lusaka magistrate court and pleaded not guilty to the charge of abuse of authority.

Judge Muma is facing two counts of Wilful Failure to Comply with the Law or Applicable Procedure C/Sec 34 (2) (b) of Anti-Corruption Act number 3 of 2012 & Abuse of Authority of Office C/Sec 21 (1) (a) as read with section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act number 3 of 2012.

When the matter came up on Thursday for explanation of the charge and plea, the state informed the court that consent from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to prosecute the matter was ready and the accused could take plea.

Judge Muma appeared before magistrate Trevor Kasanda who explained the charge to him and he denied.

On January 13, 2022 police arrested Judge Muma and charged him with the offence of Wilful Failure to Comply with the Law or Applicable Procedure and Abuse of Authority of Office.

Judge Muma is being represented by James Mataliro and Chizwe Chanda

It is alleged that on a date unknown but between April 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 in Lusaka, being Commissioner of Lands wilfully did fail to comply with the law, namely, section 84 (f) of the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, Chapter 185 of the Laws of Zambia in the manner he instructed his subordinates to cancel Certificate of Title no. 21818 relating to public property number Lusaka/ LN 8426/1 without following the law and applicable procedure.

In count two, it is alleged that on a date unknown but between 1April 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 in the Lusaka District of the Lusaka Province of the Republic of Zambia, being a public officer, namely, Commissioner of Lands did abuse the authority of office.

This was by requesting the Army Commander to surrender the certificate of title in respect of property number Lusaka/LN-8426/1 and offering it to the Patriotic Front Party, an act arbitrary and prejudicial to the interest of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

The matter has been adjourned to April 18 for commencement of trial.

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