Nurse tells court how former first lady, Lungu, allegedly coerced her, others into surrendering properties

A registered nurse has testified before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, alleging that former First Lady Esther Lungu coerced her and others into surrendering their properties by forcing them to sign documents under the watch of armed men.

Fuhana Patel, 34, of Libala South, claimed that the presence of armed individuals left them with no choice but to comply.

Read more: Ex- First Lady, Lungu, wins temporary relief as court halts forfeiture of Lusaka flats

She told the court that two of the seized vehicles, a Toyota Runx and a Toyota Allex, were legally registered in her name.

The case involved Esther Lungu, police officers James Phiri and Lee Chisulo, as well as Kapambwe Lungu and Catherine Banda, who are charged with the theft of three motor vehicles and a certificate of title for a house in Libala.

Patel testified that on August 9, 2021, neighbors alerted her that armed men had stormed her mother’s house in Jack Compound, allegedly assaulting her.

Efforts to reach her mother failed, and Patel was later contacted by unidentified men claiming to be police officers.

“They told me to stop where I was and that they were following me,” she told the court. Fearing for her mother’s safety, she complied and met them at China Mall along Kafue Road.

The men, dressed in plain clothes, reportedly escorted her to her mother’s rented house in Libala South, where she found a Toyota Hilux parked. Inside, she saw Catherine Banda handcuffed, accused of mishandling US$400,000 allegedly belonging to the former First Lady.

Patel denied any knowledge of the money, but the men proceeded to search the house.

“They took documents, including my mother’s title deed and white books for the Toyota Runx and Toyota Allex,” she testified.

Despite her protests, Patel alleged that she was forced into a vehicle and driven to an undisclosed location, later revealed to be the residence of former President Edgar Lungu.

At the house, Patel claimed she found her mother and Esther Lungu, who accused them of keeping the missing $400,000. Patel and her mother denied any involvement.

By midnight, Patel testified that they were coerced into signing documents under duress, effectively handing over the house and vehicles. “Because of fear, we signed,” she told the court.

The following day, Patel said she received a call from the former First Lady instructing her to vacate the house immediately so tenants could be placed there.

Patel refused, arguing that the house was purchased through a loan from her great-grandfather, Chief Mukuni.

However, Lungu allegedly dismissed her claim, saying, “It’s too late, you already signed the documents.”

The court heard that the alleged loan agreement between Chief Mukuni and Elizabeth Phiri would undergo forensic handwriting analysis before being submitted as evidence.

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