KBF and Partners has sued former Zambia Air Force Commander, Eric Chimese in the Lusaka High Court for the payment of more than K7 million legal fees for professional legal services rendered in the subordinate court where he was charged with abuse of authority of office and money laundering.
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In this matter, Chimese was jointly charged with James Chungu, and the court on May 22, 2023 acquitted them both.
However, KBF and Partners has filed in the High Court demanding for their share.
The firm submitted that on or about March 3, 2019, Chimese approached them with the intention of engaging the team to represent him in a criminal matter before the subordinate court.
The plaintiff said they were engaged by the defendant verbally to offer professional legal services during the period when the defendant was being tried for a criminal matter under cause no 2SG/055/2019 in the Subordinate court for zambia.
“The plaintiff will aver that they did offer professional legal services to the defendant in the Subordinate court from March 2019 to May 2023 when he was acquitted in the matter.”
The firm further submitted that Chimese paid a deposit towards the legal fees in the sum of K100,000 and the parties agreed verbally that a bill will be generated for the work done at the end of the matter.
They claimed that Chimese was served with a bill in the sum of K7,730,000 for the services rendered.
He was further served with a copy of the bill on August 15, 2023.
“The plaintiff will aver that the defendant made a verbal undertaking to settle the Bill in installments after he was served with a copy of the bill,” read the document.
KBF said despite making an undertaking to settle the bill instalments the defendant has up to date not made any payment towards the bill.
“The defendant was served with a letter of demand for legal fees on April 14,2025.”
“The defendant wrote a letter to the plaintiff on April 15, 2025 acknowledging receipt of the letter and requesting for more time to raise funds to settle the legal fees,” KBF said.
The firm said the defendant has neglected or ignored to pay them the outstanding amount after numerous promises to settle the amount from 2023 up to date.
The plaintiff claims that over the years, Chimese made promises to settle the said bill but has failed to settle the same up to date.
By the action of the defendant, the plaintiff has suffered loss and now claims payment of K7,730,000 being legal fees for professional legal services rendered in the Subordinate Court.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba June 16, 2025
